The following is a note of reflection and commemoration provided by Richard’s friends and colleagues at CCSA who mourn his loss today and here forward.
Richard Garlick was a renaissance man of communication — an excellent journalist, writer, editor and communicator.
As CCSA’s Director of Communications and one of its first employees, he gave the organization its public face in the early years. In those times particularly, CCSA depended heavily on the written word to interact with Canadians and others. Nearly every piece of writing went through Richard’s office before being released, and the result was immediate credibility for the organization.
Richard was a gifted and inspired writer who could translate complex concepts (in French and in English) into plain language that anyone could understand. Researchers trusted him, knowing he would enhance their work and maintain accuracy. A former colleague remarked, “I sent a lot of writing to him, playing a little game that Richard didn’t know about — I’d work hard to prepare something he wouldn’t need to (or be able to) improve.
He always found ways to strengthen anything I wrote, and he did so in a wonderfully understated way”.
Over the years, newcomers and visitors to the CCSA were often struck by the spirit of inquiry in the air — much of it permeated from Richard’s office where, surrounded by an array of “copy”, he was always ready to engage on a current topic with a question, point or anecdote. He loved to share a story or a laugh with anyone who came into his office. Even when busy and working to a deadline, he had time for colleagues and visitors. He was a marvelous raconteur with a musical laugh and wry sense of self-deprecating humour.
Richard was the creator, editor-in-chief and soul of CCSA’s quarterly newsletter, Action News. He was also instrumental in the most influential publications and studies undertaken by CCSA. The caliber of these studies and publications led the World Health Organization (WHO) and the UN Office on Drugs and Crime to refer to CCSA as a centre of excellence in the late 90s — no small feat for a very small organization.
Some of Richard’s major writing and editing highlights include:
- Action News
- CCSA Annual Report
- Canadian Profile: Alcohol, Tobacco and Other Drugs
- Panic and Indifference: the Politics of Canada’s Drug Laws
- The Costs of Substance Abuse in Canada: a Cost Estimation Study
- International Guidelines for Estimating the Costs of Substance Abuse (2nd ed. published by WHO in 2003)
- It was 20 Years Ago Today... An Interview with H. David Archibald
- The First 20 years: Canadian Centre on Substance Abuse
In a career spanning more than 20 years, Richard deeply believed in CCSA’s mandate; this was apparent in the integrity and passion he brought to his work every day. He will truly be missed by his colleagues and friends at CCSA.