Joseph Fourre is determined to take a family tragedy and use it to inform the public that recreational drug use is not safe.

After his son, Harlan, died last year of fentanyl poisoning from tainted drugs, Fourre launched the Singing Red Bear Foundation.

Its slogan is “No thanks.  I’m good, ”  -  one his son Harlan had used often before his untimely death.  

Fourre explains what the slogan means.

“”No thanks I’m good” is two-fold. First and foremost, No thanks: it’s non- judgemental and it’s a polite way to decline. I’m good, the second part of that statement, is empowering and I think that’s what my son was doing, you know? He was saying “No thanks, not judging you but no thanks, I’m good without that.””

Fourre says the Foundation has travelled to northern First Nations and to R.D. Parker Collegiate in Thompson to share the message.

He hopes that over time the campaign to warn young people about the dangers of recreational drugs will spread Canada-wide and ultimately result in fewer deaths due to drugs.

Hear as Fourre shares his and Harlan’s stories and learn more about Singing Red Bear.   Tune in to Thompson Today at 12:40 and 5:10 this afternoon.