FORSETH -- One-percent of the total drug deaths (6,000) IS a very real 60 flesh and blood individuals, whose families have been devastated by the loss of their child
Good news right? Not according to the BC Liberals Mental Health and Addictions critic Jane Thornthwaite.
“May was the deadliest month for overdoses in BC’s history and reinforced the urgent need for substantive action from this government to provide youth with addictions the proper supports they need,” she said, before continuing:
“More than ever, John Horgan and the NDP need to step up their response to this crisis and repair the gaps in the system before more people — especially our kids — fall through the cracks. I’ve outlined an easy solution to protect kids in the Safe Care Act, and it’s disappointing the government continue to ignore it.”
Thornthwaite has introduced the Safe Care Act twice now, according to the Liberals, in an attempt to put forward solutions to help young people find safe spaces so they can recover from substance abuse, sexual or domestic violence, or mental health issues.
Well, it didn’t take long for Lisa Lapointe, the Chief Coroner of the BC Coroners Service, to provide her thoughts either. Mid-afternoon she issued the following statement in response to the provincial governments proposed amendments to the Mental Health Act:
“Today, the BC Coroners Service became aware
of the proposed amendments to the Mental Health Act tabled by Judy Darcy,
Minister of Mental Health and Addictions.
“Every death in this province due to
illicit drug toxicity is tragic, and the BC Coroners Service is supportive of
meaningful efforts to reduce the number of lives lost. I recognize that the
deaths of those under 19 years old remain a small proportion of those
tragedies, representing approximately 1% of the more than 6,000 illicit drug
toxicity fatalities since 2015”.
Lapointe went on to say, “... there is a recognized need for a comprehensive, culturally safe system of care and treatment for those experiencing problematic substance use in B.C., including youth.
Without an established evidence-based,
accessible system of substance-use treatment services, I am concerned there is
the potential for serious unintended consequences as a result of these
legislative amendments, including the potential for an increase in fatalities”.
Now, I’m not even going to try and reference
the many commentaries I have already written on this topic. Suffice to say that
I have very strong feelings that those who create, and are the initial
distributors, of these poisoned drug supplies should at the very least be
charged with manslaughter – and locked up for a very long time.
I have also called for there to be sufficient beds available, so that when some
one decides they’ve hit rock bottom, and are ready to kick the drug habit, they
aren’t waiting for weeks to gain entry to a program.
I have also started there needs to be long-term follow up ... education
opportunities ... clean accommodations (which are far from where drugs are
dealt) ... and more.
For the government to provide ... short-term involuntary emergency
stabilization care following an overdose ... without having a long-term
plan available, will ultimately end in failure.
Which is why I agree with the Chief Coroner, who said that the work being done in ... encouraging those experiencing problematic substance use to seek help -- must not be -- negatively impacted by the proposed legislative amendments.
Premier Horgan ... Health and Addictions Minister Judy Darcy ... take the ball over the goal line! Make sure that you have done everything in your power to ensure that -- not only are there not another 60 young people who die from a drug overdose (or poisoned supply) – but that the full 6,000 people, have the supports needed, and available to them.
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