Joanne ‘Running Midnight Wolf”
Age: 34
From: Red Deer Alberta
Joanne is a First Nations person and has been living on the street for 6 years.
She has a 14 year old daughter who lives with her grandmother.
Joanne is engaged to Melvin ‘Raven’ and they are living together on the street where they protect each other. They were clear that it is not safe for a person alone. Joanne has a scar on her neck from an attack.
Her crack addiction is up to 5-6 grams twice a day.
Advice to young people thinking of a life on the street:
“If you choose the streets then take it one step at a time rather than jumping into this lifestyle, so that you get to see what it’s really about, and how unsafe it is. If you end up on the street, keep your money in a safe place, and don’t trust anyone.”
Melvin "Raven"
Age: 45
From: Chilliwack
Melvin arrived in Vancouver 22 years ago, and has lived on the street on and off since he was 8 years old. He has a 23 year old daughter in Chase and hasn’t seen her in 4 years.
He is engaged to a woman named Joanne ‘Running Wolf.’ He says he uses drugs responsibly now because he has had 5 friends die in his arms from heroin overdoses.
Melvin uses 5-6 grams of crack daily, but is opposed to the use of crystal meth, which he says crystallizes in the stomach if you don’t blow it out quickly.
Advice to young people thinking of a life on the street:
“This kind of life and freedom will really hurt you or kill you, and is not a wise choice at all.”