Despite millions government rakes in from cigarette and alcohol taxes, legalized cannabis, and all manner of gambling sources ... people have resorted to Crowd-Funding for addictions treatment

I have been unwavering in my criticism of government when it comes to dealing with the production and manufacturing of death-laced poison drugs ... a lack of REAL sentencing when it comes to the court system for its inadequate dealings with those getting rich from manufacturing and distributing poison ... as well as not fully implementing known ways of supporting those hardest hit, individuals (from all walks of life) suffering from addictions.

Here are just four of the posts written on this subject in the past 12 months:

From August 30^th, 2018 ... “To deal with the carnage addictions to drugs, alcohol, tobacco, and gambling wreak on a small portion of BC residents, government slaps a mini band-aid on the problem, instead of the biggest size needed for a gaping wound”

I admit to being stymied, or better yet obstructed, from getting information that I believe is pertinent for all British Columbians to know … “What new funding to health initiatives such as recovery, additional beds for rehab, direct street services to addicts, etc. will there be?  ... what new targeted revenue will be put in place to cover the social costs of drug and alcohol addictions

From August 31^st, 2018 ... “What, Judy, is the response, to the urgency and compassion shown by British Columbians for WHAT IS NEEDED? What are the ‘action words?’

Today is International Overdose Awareness Day -- did you know such a day existed ... it’s pathetic we even need to have a day like this to mark – and celebrate is obviously a word that would never be used for an occasion like this ... for an occasion such as this, Judy Darcy, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, trotted out ‘words’, because, at least in my opinion, they are easy to say.

From September 7^th, 2018 ... "It's as if we're trying to cure cigarette smoking by handing out cigarette holders and ash trays” … “It's time for a new path forward"

...pharmaceutical companies aren’t manufacturing the deadly poison laced with fentanyl, which is killing hundreds every month.  It’s individuals with enough money to bring in the deadly stuff, who are creating the poison, and who then get off with a slap on the wrist ... I am of the opinion that these heartless money grubbers should be charged with First Degree Murder, more fitting to the deaths they inflict. 


FEB 7^th, 2019 ... “Yes, they suffered from drug overdoses ... from poisoned drug sources ... and from a government completely uncaring in actually dealing with the situation!”

How many times is government going to frustrate the people of BC, with pious and pompous wailing and gnashing of teeth, regarding thousands of British Columbians, being taken (many in the prime of their lives), BEFORE THEY ACTUALLY DO SOMETHING? Something more than just running a few more TV and bus board ads?

On Thursday the BC Liberal Critic for Mental Health and Addictions, MLA Jane Thornthwaite, called on John Horgan and the NDP to properly fund treatment beds to help those struggling with substance use to access recovery resources in British Columbia. 

“In all the discussion about tackling the opioid crisis, no one is talking about affordable access to treatment beds and recovery facilities,” said Thornthwaite.

 “There are recovery beds available across the province but John Horgan and the NDP refuse to fund them if they only provide abstinence-based recovery. Overcoming the overdose crisis will take much more than a one-size-fits-all approach, and the NDP must fund programs that include a complete continuum of care including harm reduction, detox, mental health support and trauma informed care.”

In 2018, the BC Centre on Substance Use published a comprehensive report on the benefits of recovery and provided recommendations to government such as pushing for a full continuum of care from harm reduction to long-term recovery-oriented, abstinence-based interventions, support and environments – this, something I have referred to on numerous occasions.

In the face of government inaction, Thornthwaite noted that individuals such as Kayla Hewett (who is seeking trauma-informed abstinence-based addiction treatment at Westminster House, a residential treatment center providing youth and adult women with recovery from substance use) are suffering.

Susan Hogarth from Westminster House has voiced outrage with the government’s mishandling of Hewett’s case.

“Here is a child in desperate need of help. A family ripped apart by addiction and the solution MCFD is offering is to go to Cyrus Center where she can continue to use?” said Hogarth.

“How is it okay for our youth to be told the only solution is a shelter that is not safe for those who want to recover to put their family and life back together?”

And so, how have they provided support for Kayla Hewett?  Believe it or not, they have resorted to Crowd-Funding the monies required for her treatment.

This despite millions upon millions the government rakes in from cigarette taxes, taxes on alcohol, revenues for the sale of legalized cannabis ... and from all manner of gambling sources!

Stated Thornthwaite, “John Horgan and the NDP have turned their backs on Kayla, letting her slip through the cracks with untold consequences” ... before continuing ... “Our most vulnerable youth should not be forced to launch a KickStarter or GoFundMe page online to escape opioid addiction.”

Concluded Thornthwaite. “John Horgan and the NDP must do better, for Kayla, and everyone struggling with substance use throughout our province.”

Our provincial government MUST do better – I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, because it is long overdue.  People are dying needlessly due to government inaction – this needs to end.