Guy Felicella
International Speaker
Meet Guy Felicella, a remarkable international speaker and passionate advocate for drug policy reform hailing from the vibrant city of Vancouver, Canada. Guy's journey is a testament to the resilience of the human spirit. From a tender age of 12, he found himself grappling with the burdens of trauma, an undiagnosed learning disability, and emotional pain. Seeking solace, he turned to drugs and alcohol, setting off a turbulent path that eventually led to a substance use disorder that would shape the next two decades of his life.
Guy's story takes a poignant turn as he became a resident of Vancouver's Downtown Eastside (DTES), a neighborhood that grapples with its own set of challenges. Within this crucible of adversity, he endured additional trauma, navigating a life that included bouts of homelessness, confinement within institutions, entanglements with gangs, severe health conditions that threatened to rob him of a limb, and multiple harrowing encounters with overdoses.
However, Guy Felicella's narrative is one of transformation and hope. With unwavering determination, he has forged a path to recovery that spans over a decade. Today, he harnesses his career and platform to advocate passionately for crucial causes such as trauma therapy, harm reduction, swifter access to treatment, and reformed drug policies. He stands as a beacon of inspiration for countless individuals who have faced similar trials and tribulations, and he remains an unyielding advocate for those who need a voice in the ongoing struggle for a more compassionate and effective approach to drug policy and addiction treatment.