Edmonton SCS supporters stage a die in at the steps of the Legislature as a reminder of the lives lost to substance use related causes.

Edmonton Supporters Hold Their Rally at the Steps of the Alberta Legislature

Calgary SCS Supporters Gather at Central Memorial Park

Albertans for Ethical Drug Policy - Joint Statement

For release: 2020-02-26

The overdose crisis in Canada represents the single greatest public health emergency we, as a nation, have experienced in modern times. Our beloved province has not been left unscathed in the turmoil inflicted by a toxic drug supply. Since January 1st, 2016, we have lost a devastating 2,026 friends, family, and loved ones; we have buried our children, siblings, and parents over what can only be described as a crisis of misaligned drug policy. As the crisis took hold of Alberta, a rapid upscaling of evidence-based and life-saving initiatives were implemented to stem the rising tide of deaths. The Minister’s Opioid Emergency Response Commission (MOERC) identified six key areas of focus: treatment, prevention, harm reduction, analytics, enforcement, and collaboration. Each strategic area was bolstered with supports and resources, understanding that no single method would resolve such a complex problem.

Among these initiatives, we saw the urgent implementation of supervised consumption services (SCS); these sites have seen massive uptake, and despite managing a demand no standalone service should ever face on its own, their efficacy cannot be denied. By March 31st, 2019 SCS in Alberta had successfully responded to 3,563 overdoses. If that weren’t enough, these services endeavour to connect clients to housing, legal, medical, and social supports with an efficiency that outmatches traditional models of care. There has never been an overdose death in an SCS.

The narrative surrounding SCS has seen a dramatic shift in tone—in recent months, our government has vilified these services with misinformed vitriol meant to incite disdain for both supporters and clients alike. A false dichotomy has been established, regrettably pitting the treatment/recovery and harm reduction communities against one another. In truth, all evidence-based services along the continuum of care require support, rather than leading the public to believe it is one or the other. This is not about politics. In fact, politics has no place in responding to a public health emergency. The following joint statement is a call to action; a call to reason; a call to ethics. Any moving, restriction, or closing of existing sites in Alberta will undoubtedly lead to more preventable deaths. Our request is simple:

Maintain funding for existing sites
Unfreeze funding for both pending sites
Make no restrictions or moving of existing sites

History will not favour any decision that willfully puts Albertans at greater risk. The choice, and subsequent outcome is in your hands. Please cast aside the rhetoric, and listen to the evidence. We, as a community of caring Albertans will continue to advocate for the rights of our most vulnerable. They are loved, and deserving of care, regardless of circumstance.

This joint statement is endorsed by: Alberta Addicts Who Educate and Advocate Responsibility (AAWEAR), Alberta Federation of Union Retirees (AFUR), Alberta Nurses Coalition on Harm Reduction (ANCHR), Alberta Public Health Association Albertans with Lived Experience Advocating for Safe Supply Canadian, Association of People who Use Drugs (CAPUD), Canadian Association for Safe Supply (CASS), Canadian Drug Policy Coalition Canadian Students for Sensible Drug Policy (CSSDP), Canadian Union of Retirees – Alberta Chapter, Change the Face of Addiction, Council of Canadians Council of Canadians – Edmonton Chapter, Council of Canadians – Red Deer Chapter, Council of Canadians – Medicine Hat Chapter, Crackdown Podcast, Friends of Medicare Friends of Medicare – Lethbridge Chapter, Friends of Medicare – Palliser Chapter, Harm Reduction Nurses Association (HRNA/AIIRM), Hat Overdose Prevention and Education (HOPE), Health Sciences Association of Alberta (HSAA), Moms Stop the Harm, Public Interest Alberta, Red Deer Area People Who Use Drugs (RADPWUD)