Skip to main content

“I am a Canadian, free to speak without fear, free to worship in my own way, free to stand for what I think right, free to oppose what I believe wrong, or free to choose those who shall govern my country. This heritage of freedom I pledge to uphold for myself and all mankind.” ~~ John G. Diefenbaker

TODD STONE: I believe the time has come for the creation of a Special Committee of the Legislature to investigate the issue, hear from global experts, and propose solutions to save lives


A short time ago, I posted an opinion piece, on Addictions and Recovery.  Early last week I sat down and spoke with my own MLA for Kamloops South Thompson, Todd Stone.  I wanted to know what specific thoughts he had, and not just the policy of the BC Liberal Party.  I received that reply today, and wish to thank him for both his time in seeing me, but also for taking the time to provide me with his response.  Here it is in its entirety:

 
Kamloops South Thompson MLA Todd Stone
We continue to find our province in the midst of one of the worst health care emergencies in our history – an overdose crisis claiming the lives of 4 British Columbians every day. This despite a coordinated health-focused approach to this medical issue – including the declaration of a provincial health emergency, numerous harm reduction and recovery measures, education, awareness and enforcement.

And we must do more.

This is a crisis indiscriminate in its impact – affecting people of all backgrounds, in communities large and small. 9 out 10 deaths occur indoors including more than half in private residences. 80% who die are males between the ages of 25 and 55 – regrettably, many using alone.

We need to park politics and ideology at the door when it comes to tackling the addiction crisis that continues to devastate far too many British Columbia families.

This committee would be completely non-partisan and focused entirely on identifying a range of possible solutions to this epidemic. The committee would convene across the province and have the authority to bring global experts to British Columbia as well as consulting with experts in B.C. and would not be constrained by any current addiction care model. As part of remaining non-partisan, the committee would report directly to the Legislature.

I also believe that revenues stemming from the Federal decision to legalize cannabis should be segregated and dedicated towards action on addiction, recovery and law enforcement. Specifically, any provincial funds from the sale of cannabis should be segregated from general revenue and used primarily for the following objectives.


  • Support both harm reduction AND recovery programs for those battling addiction.
  • Encourage expansion of more 12 step and other approved recovery programs.
  • Support research at B.C. universities into addiction including the development of new and innovative ways to combat addiction and promote recovery. 
  • Support law enforcement efforts to prevent the sale of drugs to young people and the involvement of organized crime in the drug trade. 
  • Support local government needs stemming from cannabis legalization.


With the opioid addiction crisis continuing to ravage families and communities across British Columbia, we must all come together to end the stigma associated with drug use, shine a light on the dangers of using alone, support hard reduction initiatives, and wrap every recovery-focused support possible around our loved ones to assist them in making the best choices possible.

Todd G. Stone,
MLA, Kamloops – South Thompson

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

GORDON F. D. WILSON: When The Trick Masquerades as The Treat

Thirty-seven years ago, Halloween 1987, I became the leader of the BC Liberal Party.   British Columbia was badly polarized. Social Credit held one side and the NDP the other. It had been twelve years, 1975, since Liberal MLAs Garde Gardom, Pat McGeer, and Alan Williams had walked away from their party to join Social Credit, one year after the lone Progressive Conservative MLA Hugh Curtis had abandoned his party to sit with Bill Bennett, the son and heir apparent to long-serving BC Premier, WAC Bennett.   An unwritten agreement by the biggest Canadian political shareholders, the federal Liberals and Conservatives, decided that if British Columbia was to remain a lucrative franchise from a revenue perspective, they couldn’t risk splitting the electoral vote and electing the real enemy, the NDP, so no resources would be used to finance either a Liberal or Conservative party provincially.   “There are two sides to every street,” I was told by a very prominent Canadian businessman who cont

FORSETH: As a BC Conservative member, and campaign worker, I will again state that the fact these errors were found -- AND brought to light BY Elections BC -- shows the system IS working

Sadly, two and a half weeks after the BC provincial election campaign, those who want to undermine our political process are still at.  PLUS, we also have one who doesn’t even live in our country, never mind our province. I speak of the buffoon running for President of the United States, who has poisoned the well when it comes to faith in the electoral process. Just today alone, comments such as the following, were being made of posts that I shared online: ... all the votes they keep finding has just favoured NDP on in all critical ridings and soon they will flip another riding in favour of NDP, Come on. ... Elections BC has ridiculed British Columbians, and I no longer have confidence or trust in their process and competence regarding the results Then there are others online, with comments like these – who are claiming fraud in the October 19th election: ... Who is the oversight for Elections BC? They should be investigated for election fraud! ... Fraudulent election ... should be red

“With the talent and dedication of this caucus we will hold David Eby to account for his government’s out of control spending and ongoing failures in healthcare, public safety and addictions" — John Rustad

Today, John Rustad, Leader of the Conservative Party of British Columbia, proudly unveiled his shadow cabinet, a dynamic team of talented individuals ready to hold David Eby’s disastrous government accountable and present a strong alternative vision for British Columbia. “ Our shadow cabinet is a diverse and experienced group, committed to restoring prosperity, public safety, and affordability for every British Columbian ,” said Rustad. “ With experts in every field, we are focused on delivering real solutions for the challenges our province faces .” Rustad emphasized the historic appointment of Aaliya Warbus as House Leader. The shadow cabinet reflects the Conservative Party’s vision to build a brighter future for British Columbia. The appointments are as follows: Leadership Positions : Aaliya Warbus – House Leader Bruce Banman – Whip Sheldon Claire – Deputy Whip Portfolios : Tony Luck – Municipal Affairs and Local Government Sharon Hartwell – Rural Communities and Rural Development I

Labels

Show more