Olivia Mancini brings her passion, dedication, and expertise across various organizations in Hamilton, providing mental health and harm reduction support to folks as a Registered Social Worker and Harm Reduction Worker. When she is not on the frontline, Olivia works in drug policy and advocates for the decriminalization of drugs, safe supply, legal regulation, and the right to housing. Olivia also recently completed her Master of Social Work at McMaster University.

The drug poisoning crisis is devastating and the impact on communities across Canada has been lethal. Olivia co-founded SOPEN to raise awareness about the overdose epidemic and to better equip folks with the knowledge and tools to save lives. Olivia has a passion for education and she strives to teach and empower people to become part of ending the stigma against people who use drugs. Stigma kills and we have lost too many.

Mackenzie completed her undergraduate degree at McMaster University and she is currently working on a diploma in professional addiction studies. Mackenzie works as a case manager at a women’s shelter and she joined SOPEN because she has seen first-hand how Naloxone and harm reduction save lives and she wants to share her experiences with others. The government has failed to protect folks who use drugs and address the opioid epidemic, but we are not powerless. Ordinary people have the power to save lives and make a difference. Harm reduction is important to Mackenzie because it promotes autonomy and personal choice. Harm reduction is not simply Naloxone and safe consumption sites. Harm reduction is wearing sunscreen or a seatbelt. It is walking home with a friend instead of alone. Harm reduction challenges stigma and acknowledges that life is not risk-free, but where possible, we can mitigate this risk. Folks who use drugs are our friends, family, neighbours, and co-workers and they deserve to be treated with love and respect.