Kamloops recovery: A series by The Wren

Roadmap to Recovery

Roadmap to Recovery is a journalism series rooted in research and local voices, created in partnership with masters of human rights and social justice student Sunny Stranks at Thompson Rivers University. The series compiles resources and information for people seeking addiction treatment in Kamloops while exploring what barriers people might face when reaching out for help.

Roadmap to Recovery: Podcast

By The Wren Staff ● Roadmap to Recovery ● February 23, 2026

Tune in as reporter Sunny Stranks shares her experience reporting the Roadmap To Recovery series.

Latest in Roadmap to Recovery

A wall of service posters. are shown on the wall

Glossary: Kamloops recovery programs and services

By Sunny Stranks ● Roadmap to Recovery ● February 4, 2025

‘There’s no roadmap to recovery,’ says one recovery advocate, but more information can make the process easier.

Navigating recovery programs and services can come with challenges. Reporter Sunny Stranks illustrates what she heard in this graphic.

A resource guide for accessing Kamloops recovery programs and services

By Sunny Stranks ● Roadmap to Recovery ● February 4, 2025

‘There’s no roadmap to recovery,’ says one recovery advocate, but more information can make the process easier.

Fact-checking claims about recovery: Investing in saving lives

By Sunny Stranks ● Roadmap to Recovery ● January 28, 2025

‘A lot of the time, people are not successful the first time around. It’s just the way it is,’ says the director of Kamloops’ Blue House Recovery.

A wall shows various recovery resources available at a local recovery centre

Fact checking claims about recovery: Substance use stigma

By Sunny Stranks ● Roadmap to Recovery ● December 12, 2024

Many assumptions about people who use drugs are inaccurate and harmful, addictions service providers say.

A pile of brochures are shown on a table.

Fact-checking claims about recovery: Involuntary treatment

By Sunny Stranks ● Roadmap to Recovery ● December 3, 2024

Claim: ‘If people refuse to go to rehab, we should force them to go.’ The Wren reports.

A mural of a woman with flowing hair surrounded by flowers and stars displayed outside of the Kamloops Aboriginal Friendship Society.

Fact-checking claims about recovery: People struggling on the streets are from outside Kamloops

By Sunny Stranks ● Roadmap to Recovery ● November 12, 2024

Claim: People struggling on the streets in Kamloops aren’t ‘from here.’ The Wren reports.

Fact-checking claims about recovery: Harm reduction

By Sunny Stranks ● Analysis ● October 29, 2024

Claim: Harm reduction — such as safe consumption sites and safer supply — enables addiction and does not solve the root problem. The Wren reports.

A blue house is shown with a picket fence and a sign that reads The Tree in front of a green lawn

Reporter’s Notebook: Why The Wren dug into recovery services in Kamloops

By Sunny Stranks ● Roadmap to Recovery ● October 1, 2024

Front-line workers and residents suggest unique solutions to the toxic drug crisis. The Wren took a community research approach to finding answers.

Reporter’s Notebook: What I learned talking to people about addiction and recovery in Kamloops

By Sunny Stranks ● Roadmap to Recovery ● September 24, 2024

Moms Stop the Harm, Street College students and North Shore business owners taught me that while recovery is complicated, solutions are possible.