Crossing Borders: Exploring Substance Misuse Challenges in North American Somali Migrant and Refugee Communities
Guest Speakers: Hannah Ali and Yussuf Shafie
In honour of refugee week, this episode titled "Crossing Borders: Exploring Substance Misuse Challenges in North American Somali Migrant and Refugee Communities" focuses on exploring the challenges faced by migrant and refugee Somali communities in North America, with Yussuf Shafie and Hannah Ali.
The discussion begins with Yussuf and Hannah providing an overview of Somali people’s history, culture and migration patterns to Western countries, highlighting the complex journey from a homeland expressing a civil war and the challenges in navigating one’s deen and dhaqan, especially in younger generations.
We then explore drug use within the Somali community, particularly focusing on prevalence and the specific challenges the community faces in addressing drug misuse.
The speakers share personal testimonies from their work at the Alliance Wellness Center, and how their harm reduction frameworks consider religion.
Listen now on Spotify.
Resources:
Somali Dhaqan philosophies and the power of African ancestral wisdom*
Guest Social Media:
LinkedIn: Yussuf Shafie
Instagram: Alliance Wellness Center