In this conversation, Bianca D. McCall and Darcy Patterson discuss the complexities of substance use disorders, the impact of personal loss, and the importance of community support and advocacy. Darcy shares her personal journey with her daughter’s struggles with addiction and her subsequent advocacy work with Wake Up Nevada. The discussion emphasizes the need for education, harm reduction strategies, and the importance of self-care for families affected by substance use. The conversation highlights the transformation from silence to advocacy and the critical role of connection in recovery.
Guest:
Darcy Patterson is a dedicated registered nurse at Gentiva Hospice and St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center. More importantly, she is the proud mother of two incredible children, J.W. Patterson and Kirsten Yamaoka.In 2020, Darcy had the opportunity to contribute to Nevada’s new awareness initiative campaign by putting a face and story to the cause, leading to the formation of Wakeupnv. Passionate about the importance of preventing early drug use to save lives, she was appointed to the board of Safe Launch Healthy Futures, a vital non-profit organization. Recently, Darcy has partnered with several forward-thinking non-profits that are making a positive impact in the community, including Black Wall Street Reno, Tu Casa Latina, Nevada Urban Indians, and USARehabCenters.org. She invites everyone to join the mission to prevent overdoses and save lives within the community.
Resources:
- Wake Up Nevada
- Listening Session: Harm Reduction – Listen to Podcast | Watch Video
