Why the ‘Cautious Optimism?’ There’s been no changes in policy to effect the reduction of illicit drug toxicity deaths, as reported by the Coroners Office last week

Last Thursday, Mike Farnworth’s office of Public Safety and the Solicitor General, stated in a media release, that ... the number of illicit drug-related deaths for the first five months of 2019 shows a year-over-year decrease, with 86 and 84 illicit drug-related deaths in April and May 2019 respectively, down from 137 and 116 for the same months for 2018.

The media released offered ... Cautious optimism as illicit drug toxicity deaths down for first five months of 2019.

According to the BC Liberals Mental Health and Addictions Critic, Jane Thornthwaite, however, “Cautious optimism is cold comfort to families affected by overdose crisis.”

Stated Thornwaite, “Our province continues to face an unrelenting opioid crisis; projections based on overdose statistics released July 11, 2019, forecast total deaths this year to remain higher than when the crisis was first declared in 2016.

In that time, there have been over 4,400 deaths! Just let that number sink in for a minute. 

This is an unmitigated, unprecedented crisis and it deserves government’s full attention.  Unfortunately, not enough is being done”.

While John Horgan and the BC NDP continue to push forward with an insular harm reduction strategy, they have shown very little attention to proven recovery and prevention initiatives. Continuing to pour more money into harm reduction services, including replacement therapies and drug testing kits, may help save lives today, but they won’t end the cycle of addiction – especially when it comes to vulnerable youth. 

“Mom, I’m fine. You don’t need to worry
about me. I’m not going to die.”

According Ms. Thornwaite, those were the words of 15-year-old Steffanie Lawrence, two days after being released from the hospital, and 24 hours before she died from an accidental drug overdose in January 2018.  

Lawrence’s mom believes that if the Safe Care Act was in place then, her daughter would be alive today.

Columbia River – Revelstoke MLA, in a conversation with me this morning, spoke with disappointment about the death of Steffanie, “Addictions know no political stripes but Horgan continues to blow smoke. They have done virtually nothing in two years – this story breaks your heart!”

No wonder then that Liberal Mental Health and Addictions Critic, Jane Thornthwaite, remarked, “In February 2018, I re-introduced the Safe Care Act in the B.C. legislature as a private member’s bill. Since then, 20 youth have died from drug overdoses”

The Safe Care Act would allow for vulnerable children and youth whose situation places them or others at risk, to be placed within a treatment facility that can respond to their trauma and high risk of harm.

“Unfortunately, John Horgan and the NDP keep saying that prescribed treatment doesn’t work – well, I believe they’re wrong, as the alternative means no treatment at all”, she stated emphatically.

Research indicates that if youth are discharged too early after an overdose, they have an increased chance of dying soon afterwards. Instead of leaving it to chance, youth need to be stabilized, offered treatment and mental health services and, connected with the appropriate community resources. In some cases, youth will also need to be provided housing, clothing, or a reconnection with family.

Thornwaite also brought up the recent inquest into the death of Eliott Eurchuk, a Victoria teen who died of a lethal overdose in 2018.  His parents stated they had hoped the recommendations would have included secure care for youth with severe substance use disorders.

“Parents need to get access to their vulnerable children’s health care,” Eurchuk’s father said.

In reading through the media release from Farnworth’s office of Public Safety and the Solicitor General, I noticed that in comparing it to others from his ministry, and that of Judy Darcy’s Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions, there had been no changes to policy that would have resulted in a reduction of illicit drug toxicity deaths during the first five months of 2019

In other words, no information as to possible reasons as to the decrease in the number of deaths spoken of by the Coroners Office.

I do not believe there have been any recent changes in strategy over April / May of this year, so I asked both Farthworth’s and Darcy’s ministry’s if they were able to provide any additional information on what may be the causes for the reductions in numbers? 

Their silence was deafening!

No wonder then that Jane Thornwaite herself has stated:

“Given nearly 1,500 people died of an overdose last year in British Columbia, and with the crisis only showing slight signs of improvement, I suggest it is high time we start looking at different solutions — bold solutions.”

She then continued, “Not only should John Horgan and the NDP take a strong refocus on treatment and recovery options for those with substance use disorders, but they should also immediately bring forth the Safe Care Act for debate.”

For the sake of Steffanie, Elliot and all British Columbians, I sure hope they do.