Thirty years of practice combined with his own battle with an Alcohol Use Disorder convinced Mike harm reduction; using evidence-based scientific treatment delivered with compassion, can be transformative. Pond received his Master’s in Social Work from the University of British Columbia in 1995. He worked in Forensic Psychiatric Services and Mental Health and Addictions Services for the British Columbia Government and for Health Canada and the First Nations Health Authority. He began private practice in 1995. He’s an avid blogger, in-demand speaker and informed advocate for better addictions and mental health treatment.