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Decentralized Democracy

House Hansard - 329

44th Parl. 1st Sess.
June 11, 2024 10:00AM
Context: House Hansard - 329 - Jun/11/24
Mr. Brad Vis (Mission—Matsqui—Fraser Canyon, CPC)
  • Jun/11/24 7:10:21 p.m.
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Madam Speaker, the Liberal minister responsible for legal hard drugs is misleading Canadians. The government is claiming that the so-called safe supply program is working, but the facts say otherwise. In Abbotsford alone, the number of overdoses between 2013 and 2022 went up by 820%, meaning that Abbotsford has seen a near 1,000% increase in overdoses over the last 10 years. The minister should also be aware that in 2014, unregulated drug deaths from fentanyl were at 22.2%, but by 2023, this figure soared to 85.3%. B.C. Health service delivery areas reported 990 unregulated drug deaths in 2019 and over 2,500 deaths in 2023. Despite the B.C. Medical Association's 2009 recommendations for addiction care improvements, treatment bed availability has remained stagnant for 15 years. Clearly, there is a disconnect between the Liberal government, Canadian tax dollars and the true needs of Canadians in this field. The minister must acknowledge the failure of legalizing hard drugs. Even Premier Eby is backpedalling on these policies that have caused devastation in the province. The government owes an apology to all those it harmed by its radical drug experiment over the last year. The 2023 federal budget announced a piddling $20.2 million for a new community-based program to prevent substance abuse in young people. We do not know where any of that money is going or how it is going to be spent. Currently, drug overdoses are the leading cause of death among youth aged 10 to 18 in British Columbia. A boy named Jacob Wilson in my riding tragically died from an overdose at age 21. He was turned away after repeatedly seeking help and support at our local hospital. Recently, an 18-year-old University of Victoria student died of an overdose and schools across B.C. are now calling for an expansion of emergency measures, such as training students for CPR and the use of naloxone kits. I might add that it is not only at universities, but in high schools as well. We should let that sink in. Children in our high schools have to be trained on the use of naloxone because drug toxicity is the number one cause of death for kids aged 10 to 18. In my own riding in British Columbia, parents have to routinely clean up needles at parks where children play soccer. This weekend, I asked one of the key coaches how many needles were found this week. I was told they are found every day in the corner of the field where my kids and hundreds of other kids play every week. Public beaches now post signs warning of dirty needles at the most popular spot to play beach volleyball at Kits Beach in Vancouver. The minister's recommendations on this radical experiment have not helped our children. People are scared to go on public transit. People are scared of our downtown cores. People are scared to visit certain shops and restaurants at certain times of day. People are scared to go into our hospitals. Businesses across British Columbia are outlining a deteriorated climate and talk about a crime tax because of hard drugs. The RCMP has confirmed that the so-called safe supply has infiltrated the black market. When will the government end this radical experiment so that our communities can feel safe again?
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Context: House Hansard - 329 - Jun/11/24
Mrs. Élisabeth Brière
  • Jun/11/24 7:18:53 p.m.
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Madam Speaker, the thing we need to remember is that every person who uses drugs needs to have access to the help that best works for them. By offering a wide range of options, we increase the chances that they will find the one that best meets their needs. Stigmatization may be a barrier to accessing these services. That is why the fight against stigmatization is also a priority for the government. When people who use drugs feel judged, they hesitate to ask for help or to turn to the services that are available. They also hide their drug use. What we are trying to do is adopt policies and programs based on health and compassion to create a society where substance abuse problems are considered a chronic health problem that needs to be treated without judgment. Building pathways away from the criminal justice system and towards health and social services is part of a broader approach across these systems with the goal of reducing harms and saving lives while keeping communities safe.
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