More needs to be done to deal with the opioid crisis, according to North Island-Powell River MP Rachel Blaney.
“We now have a federal minister of mental health and addictions, and what we're not seeing is a comprehensive federal response to the opioid crisis,” said Blaney. “We've lost more people to the opioid crisis than we have to COVID-19. We need to see some action.
“Gord Johns, my colleague, put forward a private member's bill that talked about looking at this issue as a health issue, not seen as a criminal issue.”
Blaney said she wants to be clear that there would still be criminality for people who are selling the drugs.
“But for people who are experiencing addiction, we would look at that as a health crisis as opposed to criminal cases,” said Blaney. “What we're asking the federal government to do is step up and really have a strategy that involves working with provinces and territories, and with communities to deal with these issues, because it's scary for everyone. We don't want to see people dying.”
Blaney said she hears stories from parents who had a young person in their life who got hurt, and were given prescription drugs, but there was no real process to help them wean off of them. Now, their child is lost in this system and they are left struggling, said Blaney.
“I just hope that even though we're going through these challenging times, that we think about how we can remember that people are human, even when they're behaving in ways that are really uncomfortable,” said Blaney. “Think about the families who are working every day to try to get those folks to be home and safe. It's not easy. So, we really need to see it as a health crisis and have the resources there to treat people.
“Treatment is so important. More treatment is needed.”
Blaney said consideration needs to be given to safe supply.
“I believe in that because we have a toxic drug crisis,” said Blaney. “Even if you don't agree with drug use, I would rather have somebody using something that's safe than having somebody who's dying.”
Blaney said the opioid crisis is a big, complex issue.
“When people give up hope, that's a scary thing for all of our society,” said Blaney. “Right now, people don't have the resources. So how do we help people if there's not the things in place, and if we're just criminalizing them? It's like an endless cycle and we know that because it's not working.
“There is a process of doing things differently and seeing that change.”
The MP said she has a strong recollection from a mother who told Blaney that she could not save her son when he’s dead.
“I believe that will stay with me forever,” added Blaney.
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