Guest post by Alison Houweling, harm reduction coordinator with Interior Health With International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) here, I think about the concept of stigma. Stigma is a hot button topic and honestly, I think some people are tired of hearing the word. But it is one of the most significant barriers to people getting help.  Stigma often brings to mind the idea of judgment and negative views happening to a person. What is not explored is the internalized and perceived stigma that happens within a person. Understanding that aspect of stigma could be a gamechanger for how we connect with people who use substances. To better understand these internal experiences, I will share my own experience of stigma and substance use.

Name: Kimberly Ramier (she/her/hers)Job Title: Registered Nurse, Certified Practice – Opioid Use Disorder (CP OUD)Length of Service: 11Worksite: Williams Lake Mental Health & Substance UseCommunity: Williams LakeAncestral Territory: Secwepemc and Tsilqhot'in NationsFavourite Quote / Advice to Live By: This too shall pass. Kimberly (Kim) Ramier was born in the traditional and unceded territory of the Secwepemc and Tsilqhot'in Nations (colonially known as Kamloops) and has lived most of her life in Williams Lake. For Kim, accountability, acknowledgement and hope aren’t just words—they’re a way of showing up every day in her role as a registered nurse (RN). Her connection and love for her hometown has shaped her into a true nurturer. Whether it’s raising a beautiful family, or helping people in crisis, Kim has always had an immense and strong motivation to alleviate fear, pain and panic in those around her.  Kim’s path to health care wasn’t straightforward. At 17, she admits she was a little rebellious, taking two tries to finish grade 12. Later, while raising two children, she worked in the service department at an automotive dealership before deciding to pursue nursing in her early 30s. Earning her degree at 35 remains one of her proudest accomplishments. “We should not be defined by our struggles but admired for our successes.” - Kim Ramier

Did you know that Interior Health offers dozens of mental health and substance use services? Whether you need short-term treatments or longer term therapies, help in your community or at a dedicated facility, in-person or virtual, our services are confidential and safe, and free of judgment and stigma. 

International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD) on August 31 brings together a global community to take action on overdose. This year’s theme, One Big Family Driven by Hope, reminds us that these losses do not just shatter individual families; they fracture entire communities. “International Overdose Awareness Day is a time to bring communities together—to remember the lives we have lost, to support those still living with the impacts of this crisis, and to stand as allies in the work ahead,” shares Alison Houweling, a harm reduction coordinator with Interior Health. “Substance use is a health concern. Like any other health-related activity that can lead to adverse outcomes, it requires a health response: treatment of those outcomes and options that promote health.”

Interior Health Peers from the Vernon Downtown Mental Health and Substance Use Clinic are leading a grassroots art initiative titled Expressions from the Front Lines: A Journey through the Toxic Drug Crisis. The unique exhibit, on display at the Okanagan Regional Library and Gallery Vertigo, brings together a collection of heartfelt artistic expressions from those with lived and living experiences in recognition of International Overdose Awareness Day on August 31, 2025.

Name: Dr. Nancy Humber (she/her/hers)Job Title: PhysicianLength of Service: 29 yearsWorksite:  Lillooet Hospital and Health CentreCommunity: Lillooet and GoldbridgeAncestral Territory: Northern St'at'imcFavourite quote: "If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together.” — African Proverb  "Health care is a complex, ever-changing service that will require deliberate, multidisciplinary approaches that consider equity, cultural awareness, and patient and family-driven success metrics to ultimately improve the health experience and outcomes of this region."  Dr. Nancy Humber is a familiar presence in the Northern St'at'imc communities, also known as Lillooet. With nearly three decades serving as a physician at the Lillooet Hospital and Health Centre, Nancy’s career journey has been rooted in a commitment to lifelong learning and meaningful allyship.  “I love people, and I have an amazing opportunity to work in the different Northern St'at'imc communities, meet local health-care teams, and learn from Elders in their homes in their communities,” she says. “These experiences have taught me how to be a better doctor and person and have improved my cultural understanding of how to be a better ally.”  

A simple courtyard in Kelowna General Hospital’s (KGH) McNair psychiatric unit has been transformed into a vibrant, healing space through a collaborative mural project rooted in culture, community and mental wellness. Led by KGH unit manager Jenny Orriss, with support from the KGH Foundation, the project has taken shape after years of determination and creative problem solving. Plans for an art project were originally paused due to challenges with anti-graffiti wall panels. But the vision was recently revived with a shared commitment to create a more therapeutic environment for patients in the unit. “As the manager of the psychiatric unit I’ve seen firsthand the impact that healing environments can have on mental wellness and recovery,” says Jenny. “This is more than just an aesthetic change—it’s about creating a space that supports grounding, reflection and hope.”

Name: Stefanie Elliott (she/her/hers)Job Title: Complex Care Housing Team LeadLength of Service: 11 yearsWorksite: Mental Health and Substance Use Complex Care HousingCommunity: KamloopsAncestral Territory: SecwépemcFavourite Quote / Advice to Live By: “Choose a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.” — Confucius Stefanie Elliott is a Mental Health and Substance Use (MHSU) Complex Care Housing team lead originally from Vancouver Island. She moved to the Tk'emlúps (Kamloops) area in 2000, then travelled the world from 2015 to 2019. Stefanie believes it’s essential to build strong relationships with coworkers and clients and learn who they are as individuals. “To have your genuine self be accepted by others gives a feeling of belonging,” she says. “Each person has their struggles and strengths—it’s an honour to have these valued relationships in my life.”

Name: Sarah Kozin (she/her/hers)Job Title: Project Coordinator - Digital HealthLength of Service: 12Worksite: Kelowna Community Health and Services CentreCommunity: VernonAncestral Territory: syilxFavourite Quote / Advice to Live By: Romans 8:28And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For Sarah Kozin, making a difference isn’t about being in the spotlight: it’s about knowing that her work, whether big or small, helps improve care for patients, families and communities. That quiet drive, paired with a deep sense of purpose, has shaped her 12-year journey with Interior Health. Based in Vernon, B.C., where she has lived her entire life, Sarah is a project coordinator with Digital Health. She’s worked across a variety of roles, building strong relationships, deepening her skills and staying grounded in what brought her to health care in the first place. “I pursued a career in health care because it is deeply personal to me,” she says. “My own mother is a two-time cancer survivor, and witnessing her journey and the incredible support we received from the health-care team showed me just how vital a strong, compassionate and effective health-care system is. “It was through those challenging times that I truly understood the power of a dedicated care team in supporting not just individuals but entire families and communities. “Every step I take to support and improve health care has a ripple effect that helps patients, families and entire communities. That connection fuels me. It reminds me why I show up every day and why I continue to push myself to do better for the system, for the people in it, and for everyone who depends on it.”