Season 1 Episode 16: The War on Drugs Was a War on People: A Transparent Conversation on Recovery with Teresa Sands

In this episode of The NOCE Dose, host Bianca D. McCall speaks with Teresa Sands about the complexities of recovery, stigma, and harm reduction. Through powerful reflections, Teresa challenges traditional narratives around addiction, emphasizing the importance of asking individuals what they truly want from recovery. The discussion delves into key themes such as sex work stigma, the war on drugs as a war on people, and the need for culturally responsive pathways to recovery. Together, they explore the value of lived experience in shaping effective care, the role of transparency and accountability in treatment, and the idea that abstinence is not the only path to healing. This episode encourages listeners, both professionals and those in recovery, to rethink societal approaches to substance use and embrace a more inclusive, compassionate model of support.