Wow... really great talk with great examples of harm reduction. I love the comparison of bars/pubs as safe consumption sites... it’s spot on.

I have to be honest; I was closed minded to this idea about 5 years ago. Until a loved one overdosed and I really thought about the "what ifs and how can we save lives". And that resulted in my heart and mind expanding and being 100% in support of such facilities. This was an amazing presentation and shared lived experience. Thank you Guy Felicella.

Guy, you are incredible. Thank you for sharing and advocating. We need more people like you in the world!

This is a disruptive talk and a brave, sharing advocate. I have total respect for Guy and he rocks it here.

9:48 Powerful. This is the essence of the “why” behind harm reduction.

Great talk. Very important right now to know the benifits of a harm reduction. Thank you Guy for your vulnerability.

Way to go Guy, great news to hear and see your doing great, and thank you for helping people understand harm reduction.i remember back when we were 14 surprised were still both here.

A very powerful presentation for Harm reduction. This has helped me with my understanding the difference between enablement and prevention of death. Thank you Guy. You are a powerful power of example for sure.

Best TEDx talk I've ever Heard - Thank you!!! ❤🙏❤

Addiction knows no age, race, gender! People can not reach out in their communities because of the stigma that exists. Sadly theses people lose their lives. Do you view it with compassion or conviction? Spectacular. Thankyou ❤️ ✌️ 💐

Wow guy what a great talk. I’m from Australia & yes instead of putting a stigma on people with drug addiction more empathy & support is needed. Never judge a person because it can happen to you one day. I always say that any addiction normally starts with some trauma or pain occurring in your life, & then you are desperately in need of anything. I have suffered chronic pain the last 10yrs & are on meds & I hate when people say don’t take them, but of course they have never experienced the pain I have. I have been blessed with good dr’s & health management that hopefully I can control my life. The beauty of living in Australia is that our health system is good & not expensive like in the USA. There is plenty of help but more is always needed.I wish you lots of luck in your new life & thanks for helping others.

Guy, I've watched this video multiple times and I've been moved to tears every time.

such an important message. Guy is the best example of people changing for the better!

so happy for you Guy! I have some endearing memories of you back in the day and so glad you survived to spread the word xoxoxox

Amazing talk. Loved the way you explained harm reduction and the comparisons you used. This needs shared everywhere.

Great Ted talk by Guy. Well done. Thought provoking and great information and a powerful testimony!

I really appreciate you guys that run and operate “Ted Talks” and I love the people that speak on TedTalks… thank you for sharing yourselves, your stories, your life experiences and anything else with us…keep sharing your stories and making yourselves open and vulnerable for us all to see, grow and learn from, and personally, I will do my best to reciprocate. I’m convinced that programs like these, and people like us have anointing’s on our lives. And perhaps we obtained these anointing’s through much pain, suffering and hardships; but beautiful people we are & these anointing’s are more valuable and precious than Gold. We are living, loving, breathing, selfless examples of the beautiful struggle. Not perfect by a long shot, but such wonderfully, beautifully and brilliantly designed individuals/spirits that are ABSOLUTELY WORTHY of SO much LOVE!! Peace and hugs my brothers & sisters!

0:57 BC 4 people die everyday to a drug overdose 1:31 program of harm reduction that saved his life 1:42 what is harm reduction? Reduce harm 2:07 examples of “normal harm reduction” 2:34 why are supervised consumption sites controversial when health care is 4:01 why is one socially acceptable and one is not? 5:11 how death was reduced in vancouver with safe consumption sites 6:00 understand obsessive disorder 7:13 important 6:36 withdrawal 7:20 important 7:52 how it changed ppl lives 50% reduced 8:41 young age of 12 started using drugs 9:01 early story how he started using drugs 9:41 early 20s 10:05 kept him long enough to make the change 10:15 IMPORTANT PART 8:13 harm reduction exist bc of addiction 10:43 so focused on the substanc ethat we forgotten value of human life Stigma being a contributing factor? Hindering ppl from reaching out? 12:24 how do u view drug addiction compassion or conviction? 13:04 more empathy and understanding, compassion 13:32 in order to combat, end stigma 14:00 dont be wuick to judge or dismiss it 14:13 it save lives remember you can’t save a dead addict

Great talk, Guy! Keep it up!

Powerful testimony.

Excellent talk. Thank you

It was such an honor to meet you Guy! This is so important and THANK YOU!

This is of the very best videos I've seen. I completely agree.

Great points. Opened my eyes. Thanks for sharing.

600 lives saved in ottawa at one of our in 5 months not one death sence we opened at our sis!

Thank you soooo much for this. End the stigma how many more people have to die including my younger Brother I miss him everyday I also lost two best friends and countless ppl I went to high school with

I only have one word to say Amen. Having said that I want to know how to bring that to Tucson Arizona

Yes I am a alcoholic, I was sober 5 years, and the pandemic hit, I relapsed, so yes its a everyday struggle!

thanks Guy, amazing presentation

Way to go Guy! Keep up the great work. You are helping so many people.

Proud of you😢❤

Inspiration right there!!!

Guy is one of my best friends, and has such a remarkable story to tell. Now he works for GOD! ( just ask him!) Please share this with anyone you think needs to here it, and those that you think don’t. ☯️🙏🏼❤️🌎

Spot on.

Thanks Guy...Right too the point...

I sooooo applaud you.

You have an amazing story my friend. The issue I have is that way too many people are making up stories like this to gain media and support for their organizations. I'm here in the Midwestern US and there is one guy here in SW Missouri who's story has changed over the years and he never even talked about opioids until the grant and federal money came into the field. Now hes become a major drug dealer in an area that no one has ever heard of him......lol. Hes doing this at the level of kingdom building and putting his name on a lot of things that he is changing things....and not for the better. End The Lies to gain clout.

So proud of you Guy! Missing you at 159!

Such an amazing talk! Keep it up Guy!!

Great job Guy! I support all paths of recovery. Grateful harm reduction led you to be able to live a life of abstinence today ❤️

Excellent; Very moving, Guy.

Amazing experiences shared whilst advocating harm reduction. True evidences come from lived experiences. Whatever people think otherwise, it is clearly based on ignorance.

I love this. Thanks for your impassioned plea. My only qualifier to this is that for some people the legal consequences of drug addiction are a significant motivator for change. I've seen them come into treatment angry at the judge--and leave thankful that they got help. That said, I don't want anyone to die. I endorse harm reduction. Is there a way for legal consequences and harm reduction to coexist?

This is a fantastic presentation. I really wish TED wasn't so obsessed with using the silly telemarketer headsets that make you listen to every breath and spit sound, though

Utmost respect

COMPASSION ALL THE WAY

But how?

My husband did too. 4 times. And then one day he died for real.

The Cops can't arrest the addiction of of a person!

Was in jail with this guy lots !!! Hope he's still doing good. His street name was Tony lol

Harm reduction does work for some .

Watching all of the harm reduction content i can find. But it all plays the addict as the victim of something other than their own decisions.

The stigma is never going to end cuz it's not just based on harm reduction, it's based on all the horrible things drug addicts do to harm other people in their quest to get drugs, more just in their own hateful jealous and Petty selfish minds and what they conjure out of them to do whatever they want in their entitlement and spite, and when they want, their propensity to do anything they to get what they want. Big difference

If you drink too much they bring you coffee. Maybe on television shows or movies .

Harm reduction is just making life easy fir junkies!!!

Here’s another one opioid assisted sites are insanity to the regular public who doesn’t do drugs. There’s no such thing as safe drugs. The fact that you’re on here even speaking about this makes me sad and I’m gonna pray for you.

and just like that. I didnt have a choice. But you did. Hard stop. And you made a poor choice. And now you want help. Just say that and you will win people over. trust.

How they justify their horrible acts in their delusional minds in denial...thats addiction for u...they are very dangerous... and if this guy thinks harm reduction so great and people don't really need to quit, why does he bother quitting? Why doesn't he just keep doing dope? If that's as good as recovery

If you have an allergy to a certain food . Keep eating that food and look at everyone else to do something .Or keep eating that food and take medicine for it . Things will work out fine. LMFAO. I wonder why this is the least viewed Ted in history .