Digital Storytelling With Heroin Users in Vancouver

Abstract

As the opioid crisis escalates across North America, photographers are highlighting the gravity of the situation. However, many of their images of people who use drugs are problematic and stigmatizing. This study looks at how digital storytelling (DST) was used in order to assist long-term heroin users taking part in North America’s first heroin-assisted treatment program in Vancouver, BC, in amplifying and sharing their personal experiences. DST is a participatory and collaborative process designed to help people share narrative accounts of life events. A total of 10 participants took part in a 3-day DST workshop and eight individuals completed 2 to 3-minute digital stories. Participants demonstrated increased agency in terms of how they represented themselves. Their digital stories disrupt hegemonic representations of heroin users and can help educate the public and decision makers about compassionate and science-based treatments for chronic addiction. Theory, methodology, practical applications, and ethics are discussed.