Competent compassion
Our topic of this month was addiction, with our focus on the ethical dilemmas we might face in treating addiction as healthcare professionals, namely the use of harm reduction techniques. Harm reduction is the term for trying to minimise the negative consequences of addiction through systems such as needle exchanges and methadone. In our monthly webinar we had the opportunity to discuss in small groups our own opinions on this subject, with many feeling that we had a duty to meet the patient where they are and not withhold helpful harm reduction techniques. Although there is a potential for encouraging the addictive behaviour, we felt it would be morally right to prevent illness caused by the sharing of needles and other dangerous practices. We then welcomed speaker Dr Joss Bray, founder of Competent Compassion who helped us explore this topic further. He shared his experience of working with those with addictions in secure settings and his competent compassionate approach to doing so.
Film Club
We gathered online once again for another film club, centred this time on A Street Cat Named Bob. This tells the true story of James, a homeless busker struggling with a heroin addiction as he is befriended by a ginger tomcat named Bob. They quickly become an inseparable duo as Bob helps James on his journey of recovery. We discussed the themes of hope and second chances, and also how James’ relationship with Bob challenged the stereotypes of the homeless and addicts. Before Bob, many would pass James’ by without a look or even hurry away with guilt at his situation on the streets, but when Bob was with James people saw him differently and actively engaged with him. Society leads us to believe that many homeless people have drug and alcohol problems, and if given money will only spend it on these addictions. The truth is not all who are homeless have these issues, and the ones that do often come to using substances as a way of coping with the trauma of sleeping rough. Through James’ story we can see that given the benefit of the doubt and a second chance, he could find his way in the world again.