On Pragmatism and the Overdose Crisis - in support of prescription heroin

Imagine for a moment: you visit your family doctor because you have been feeling unwell. The doctor assesses you and says that you have dangerously high blood sugar or high blood pressure, or heart disease. The doctor says, "there are drugs for that, but unfortunately , it is not legal for me to prescribe them to you and that you will need to find what you need on the street." Just imagine…

A larger more pragmatic view must be taken on the opioid overdose crisis. We need to begin to shift our focus from one of more law enforcement, more border security, more statistics, more research, onto the immediate overdose crisis, and place it on what will work today. As the documentary, ‘Unstoppable’ on fentanyl, recently pointed out, the ‘chemists’ will continue to pump out unregulated, even more toxic versions of fentanyl, which has the effect of killing more people and further addicting the ones that don’t die. And there is a ridiculous amount of money for all involved in the supply side.

We will never catch all illicit fentanyl, or have enough beds, or catch in the safety net all those people who are addicted. Besides, what is going to take the place of heroin in their lives? Will they get jobs, housing, medical and mental health treatment, counselling? No they will not. Not in the present system.

So we need to be pragmatic and realistic. Our resources need to be going into assessment and dispensing safe, regulated, cheap or even subsidized opioids in safe venues. This will put the black marketers out of business by eliminating or drastically reducing their market. They will surely find some other nefarious work.

Let us accept that a segment of the population needs to ease its pain through drug use. Let us accept that this is not a moral failing, and let us treat it like the health issue that it is. If the medical community is allowed to treat drug dependent people with the medicine they need, i.e. opioids, they won’t die, they are healthier, they will not have to resort to crime to fund their needs. Their families will be safer. The whole community is healthier. The billions of dollars saved in law enforcement, border services, incarceration, and emergency healthcare can easily fund the recovery and social services we need. .

Let’s get real in ending the overdose crisis. Let’s try what will surely work. That would be a gift.

Leslie McBain

Overdose Crisis Public Forum

Vancouver, December 8, 2016

I just want to say thanks to our Leslie McBain for her inspiring, passionate and powerful talk which she gave at the Overdose Crisis Public Forum which was held here at Vancouver City Hall on December 8. I was there and heard her speaking, and was so proud of her; I wanted to jump up and clap and yell out loud!

The forum was fully packed and people were standing outside. Along with Leslie, the panel speakers included Dr. Patricia Daly, Chief Medical Health Office for Vancouver; Al Fowler, President of BC Association of People on Methadone; Adam Palmer, Chief Constable Vancouver Police Department; Sarah Heneghan, Urban Native Youth Association; Patrick Smith, Director of Aboriginal Health, Portland Community Services Society; Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson.

There were representations from all parts of society including several MLAs, several City Councillors, many doctors and nurses and emergency responders, people with addictions, people working in addictions outreach, and interested members of the public. It was a very important and successful meeting, and after the panel speakers, a round-table discussion was held with everyone giving their input. Leslie made sure the parent/family message was heard loud and clear and that people understand that those who died are loved and dearly missed, not just statistics.

Patricia Hamilton, Victoria, BC

Marie's Rant

Saturday morning rant. Move along if I'm annoying. I'm really ok with it.

So reading this morning about a mom who dealt with parents from her sons hockey team, adding their 2 cents on the fentanyl crisis. Outcome- let them die- self imposed - why should my tax dollars pay.

So let's expand our thinking here and save the healthcare system a bundle.

I challenge all the naysayers to speak up without fear on the following:

  • Smokers with related illnesses - yes even grandma
  • The overweight who's knees can no longer support the infrastructure
  • The heavy drinker who needs liver treatment or even a new organ all together!
  • The diabetic who has a plethora of health related issues because they didn't mange according to the treatment plan
  • The arm chair football watching, pizza and beer eating expert with heart disease

I'm sure I could think of more...

The only difference between the items listed above and that of an active substance abuser - could be disposition. So if we're keeping nicer people alive - then let's use a personality test as our treatment guide in emergency rooms -

Bam - I've just solved the healthcare issue.

There is not a single addict who started out any different than you and I. Many addictions are born of trauma - many many many start with a well intended Dr, with a prescription pad.

Did you know the demographic group with the highest rate of opioid related hospitalisation in Saskatchewan? Senior freakin citizens !!!! True dat.

So next time you want to scrape our city clean of addicts because of their heavily weighted cost on our communities - clean up your own house first - of every self inflicted medical ailment and condition. Add up the dollars you save when you get a refund on grandmas oxygen tank - go buy her a pack of smokes on the way home and Pat yourself on the back you urban hero you! - and way to take a stand - you no longer look like a fool who assigns a moral meter to health care coverage.

Frankly we need to pull back holistically and look it this issue. Certainly we are hearing from the crazy momma's like me - I have nothing to lose -

However aside from the maternal Maniacs - talk to first responders - judges - insurance companies - small businesses held up at gun point - the criminal justice system / we can NOT incarcerate our way out of this one. Our jails are are 120% capacity - at the expense of rehabilitative programs - classrooms in prisons are now dorms.

This is a multi billion dollars industry it's not going anywhere .

A very good friend of mine said yesterday- for every new addict on the street - we create 5 more. Because they need at least 5 customers to help pay for their own habit. But take that addict off the street and get them help and recovery - we have potential saved the other 5.

Yes your kids can be convinced to do drugs. Don't let dance lessons and Sunday dinners fool you - all our kids had them.

It can be anyone's child. Anyone's. Don't have to eat your words one day.

Peace out...or in. Something like that.

Marie Agioritis

An Open Letter to the Honourable Jane Philpot, Federal Minister of Health

Dear Honorable Minister Jane Philpot,

[I listened to the whole Opioid Conference from the comfort of my home in BC. I heard your closing remarks. So therefore today, I am doing what you asked of us to do, I am going to PUSH the government because as you said, ‘The wheels of government move slowly.’]

So here is today's little PUSH:

My son’s friend Dayton almost died on August 29th from a Fentanyl overdose. Instead he ended up with a traumatic brain injury.

Luckily the Vancouver hospital was able to contact his mother and she was able to intervene from letting them just discharge him back to the streets, while his brain injury continued to do more damage.

You see she had to get from Kamloops down to Vancouver quickly. Now she lives down there to care for Dayton who cannot be left alone for more than an hour.

Dayton was almost one of 28 Fatal Fentanyl overdose deaths this August 2016 in BC. Dayton was almost one of 94 Fatal Fentanyl overdose deaths of our young adults between the ages of 19-29 yrs old in BC in 2016. Dayton was also a friend of my son, Tyler Aaron Robinson who died back in January. So now my son Tyler is one of the total 332 Fatal Fentanyl overdose deaths in BC so far in 2016 (BC Coroner’s Report, November 2016).

Well today is Dayton’s 22nd Birthday! I am so happy that Dayton is alive! Dayton still has a lot of healing to do and that will require lots of support in various ways.

Once our loved ones are saved from an overdose, we need funding to create a triage of accommodation, treatment and recovery available for those who are ‘willing, waiting and worried’ that they may die before they get the help they need! Our children need preventative and continuous dignified Health Care. This Health Crisis is going to cost us Canadians money for years to come!

Parents across Canada are connecting to share and support each other. Many of us are shocked to see the lack of supports right across Canada. We need equitable healthcare for our children whether they are youths or adults! An overdose death could happen to anyone’s child! We need to keep our kids alive!

So every day I remember your closing remarks that I quickly tried to dictate while listening to the Opioid Conference online. Y ou were saying,

“Approach it from every angle..

Save people everyday on the street…

lets keep pushing one another…

wheels of gov’t move painfully slowly…

she can see the path forward…

given realities faced by a whole number of huge issues..

Push..

Address the real inequities in life lost…

Don’t ever stop challenging assumptions…

we have to get this right..."

Minister Jane Philpot

"Insanity: doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results." - Albert Einstein

Sherry Vaile Robinson, Kamloops, BC

Update from our moms in Winnipeg

Thing's are starting to go strong here in Manitoba. Our Fire Paramedic and Police are launching an awareness campaign. Our Minister of Health and Justice along with Police went to a high school to talk to kids about opioids and delivered a powerful message. Naloxone spray is now in the hands of the Manitoba R.C.M.P. and the Winnipeg Police Services, of our "Bear Clan" (a group of trained inner city volunteers), and it will soon be distributed widely all over Manitoba. It will be sold in Pharmacies and our "Street Connections" continue to train and hand out kits. A group of mothers of children that are struggling with addiction have been trained and have kits. This will save countless lives.

An officer who has lost a son, is giving presentations to fellow officers in Manitoba. He speaks about his families experience, informs his fellow officers about harm reduction, and shares the message I have been saying loud and clear: "if it could happen to my family it could happen to yours".

I'm proud of Manitoba, yes it's taken awhile, but people are listening and trying to come together. This has always been my message, not to blame but to work together to bring change and help to educate our young people about opioids and the risks. My next meeting is with our Mayor. I am hoping to bring my husband, and as well as the police officer who has lost a son and his wife.

I'd like to take a break but it's hard when thing's are really starting to happen. It has been two years since our first interview about loosing our son Jessie. It took a lot of hard work to get Manitoba on board, but the deaths and overdoses to Fentanyl and now Car-fentanyl left with us with no choice. Our community is coming forward and it's on the news everyday. Everything I learnt and talked about will slowly get implemented.

I have met some amazing people and families. And have learnt something from everyone I have met, e-mailed or had a conversation with over the phone. It is an amazing community working for change.

Hugs,

Arlene Kolb, Winnipeg, MB