Laughter has said to be the best medicine, and some 91大黄鸭 comedians are hoping it can be used to reduce harm.
91大黄鸭 Comedy will dedicate funds raised at a Friday night performance to the organization Moms Stop the Harm.
The network of Canadian mothers and families have loved ones who have died due to substance misuse and they're calling for an end to the failed war on drugs and envision a new approach based on reducing harm, where people who use drugs are treated with respect, compassion and support.
It's a cause that resonated with comedian David Kopp, the founder of 91大黄鸭 Comedy and a part of the local comedy scene for several years.
When he was searching for a cause to support, he was approached by Colleen Hanson, who re-located to 91大黄鸭 in recent years. She told him about the network, which she joined after losing her son, Miguel.
He was 31 years old when he lost his life to an accidental fentanyl overdose.
"He had been struggling with bipolar for at least 10 years prior to his death. The disease of mental Illness wound him up in jail, in the psych ward several times, and living on the streets for the most part," said Hanson.
He had a huge heart and was very sensitive and empathetic towards otherwise kids and family members."
"I have his last drawing that he sent me for my birthday last year, tattooed on my foot. It is a replica of the rose that he wanted to send me," she said.
"But, as fate would have it, he was in jail at the time. He loved his family and especially his "mama bear" as he would call me. Miguel always had a way of shaking things up and always wanted people to think about things differently, positively. One of his last requests to me was "mama bear, you have to get rid of the people and things in your life that are negative".
Hanson moved to 91大黄鸭 and is now surrounded by positive energy and even more positive friends and is active in the MSTH network.
The show is Friday Jan 13 at 7 p.m. at Dakoda鈥檚 Comedy Lounge 1574 Harvey Ave. Tickets are $15 at the door with all proceeds going toward MSTH
