addiction
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Nov 7, 2025 – A Coffee Conversation with Councilor Carol Day: Holding Compassion and Caution Together
Yesterday, I sat across from Richmond City Councilor Carol Day at a local coffee shop, just two people, two cups of coffee, and a shared concern for our community. What unfolded was not a political transaction, but a human exchange. Carol has been accused by some of selling drugs to those struggling with addiction, a Continue reading
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September 6, 2025 – From Stigma to Support: A Community Gathering Rooted in Compassion
On August 30, 2025, just one day before International Overdose Awareness Day, our community gathered at St. Alban’s Anglican Church in Richmond for an afternoon of truth telling, listening, and healing. This was not just an event. It was a reckoning. A space where stories were shared not to be judged but to be witnessed. Continue reading
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August 27, 2025 – Morning Coffee with Jas: Recovery, Connection, and a Renewed Sense of Hope
This morning, I returned to a local coffee shop I used to frequent—a quiet corner of Richmond that’s held space for many meaningful conversations over the years. Today, it became the setting for one more. I met with Jas, who now works with Richmond Addiction Services Society (RASS), and our conversation left me deeply moved. Continue reading
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June 19, 2025 – More Than “Just Say No”: A Reflection on Crafting a Comprehensive Dialogue for Chinese Families on Youth Substance Use
In many Chinese communities, discussions around youth substance use often gravitate towards broad policy measures or strict prohibitions. We’re ingrained with the simple directive to “just say no” to drugs. Yet, as we navigate increasingly complex social landscapes and the inherent challenges of adolescence, one might reflect: is that singular message truly sufficient? A persistent Continue reading
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May 23, 2025 – Reclaiming Healing: Reflections on Len Pierre’s TEDx Talk “Decolonizing Substance Use and Addiction”
I was deeply touched and inspired by Len Pierre’s TEDxSFU talk, Decolonizing Substance Use and Addiction. As a Coast Salish educator and traditional knowledge keeper from the Katzie First Nation, Pierre speaks with clarity, conviction, and deep compassion about the complex realities of addiction, especially within Indigenous communities. What makes his message so powerful is Continue reading
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May 21, 2025 – Breaking the Silence: What I Learned from a CAPSA Webinar on Substance Use and Stigma
A recent webinar hosted by the Community Addictions Peer Support Association (CAPSA) shed light on the pervasive issue of stigma surrounding substance use, offering a powerful call to action for individuals and communities to respond with compassion rather than judgment. The session emphasized that understanding and addressing stigma is crucial for fostering healing and support. Continue reading
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May 1, 2025 – A Morning at the Drop-In: New Faces, Familiar Challenges in Richmond
This morning, I made my way to the drop-in center here in Richmond. It’s always a place that offers a glimpse into the diverse realities of our community, and today was no exception. Stepping inside, I was greeted by some new faces among the staff. It’s always nice to introduce myself and connect with the Continue reading
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April 26, 2025 – Walking Alongside Grief: Reflections on a Family’s Tragic Loss and Our Call to Listen
Today, I had the solemn privilege of sitting with a Mandarin-speaking family in Surrey, British Columbia, who are navigating unimaginable grief. Earlier this year, their 14-year-old daughter died from an overdose. As I entered their home, I felt the weight of sorrow in the air—a mother’s heartbreak, a father’s silence, and the empty space that Continue reading
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April 22, 2025 – I Am Not an Expert—I’m a Pastor and a Companion: Why I Carry a Naloxone Kit
My name is Yu-Ching Mo (my Chinese name in Mandarin), and I am a pastor who cares deeply about the community and offers spiritual/pastoral counseling to those in need. I was recently interviewed by Sing Tao Daily about why I always carry a naloxone (Narcan) kit with me. To me, this small kit is more Continue reading
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A Call to Compassion:
Reaching Out to the Marginalized and Vulnerable in Our Communities In every city, the most vulnerable among us—the homeless, the addicted, and the marginalized—face profound challenges every day. Their struggles are often invisible to the broader community, but the reality of their suffering demands our attention. As Christians, we are called to respond with compassion, Continue reading
Fr. Bill's Journal 莫牧師的點滴 