#CanadaVotes2021 - The Questions to Ask Regarding the Drug Poisoning Crisis

The overdose and drug poisoning crisis continues to be one of the most devastating public health emergencies of our lifetime, with 21,174 opioid-related deaths in the last five years alone. Most of these deaths were preventable and they all resulted in immeasurable devastation for families and communities.

When deciding who to vote for consider party positions on the much-ignored drug poisoning crisis that has taken so many of our loved ones.

Our Report Card

Our report card is based on party platforms, statements and media articles. Based on the magnitude of the crisis and the lack of an adequate and evidence-based response, we see low grades across the board, as well as one fail.

We are updating report cards as new information becomes available and as parties reply to the letter we sent to them.

Important questions to ask party leaders and local candidates:

These questions were sent to all party leaders. All questions, except question 5 added later, were sent to party leaders before and at the start of the election campaign. To date, we have not received any replies.

  1. Decriminalization: Would your party decriminalize the personal possession of illegal drugs? Also, would your party legislate this change rather than relying on informal, incremental, and discretionary measures that fall short of real decriminalization?

  2. Safe Supply: Would your party ensure that there is a safe supply of pharmaceutical alternatives to toxic street drugs? And, if so, what measures would you implement to ensure this is widely available?

  3. Harm Reduction: Would your party create a legal and policy environment that funds and champions evidence-based programs in order to facilitate the development and scaling up of harm reduction services Canada-wide, including in remote and rural areas and prisons?

  4. Legal Regulation: Would your party move to legally regulate currently illegal drugs based on the best available evidence regarding harms and benefits, and as a step towards treating problematic drug use as a health issue?

  5. Treatment: Would your party support full access to all evidence-based models of treatment, including opioid agonist treatment and other substitution approaches? How would you support long-term wellness, including access to housing, mental health supports and trauma care?

  6. Emergency Declaration: Would your party declare the overdose crisis as a national public health emergency so that it is taken seriously and funded appropriately? Also, would you ensure that emergency measures are provided in all provinces and territories and guided by the people most affected?

  7. Funding: What funding would your party provide to scale up prevention, harm reduction, and treatment services?

Our position:

  1. Decriminalization: The criminalization of people who possess now-illegal substances for personal use is a government policy stance that directly contributes to people using and dying alone. It prevents people who feel that they want help with problematic drug use from seeking it and it perpetuates deadly stigma. These Canadian drug laws are rooted in racism and continue to disproportionately impact racialized Canadians and Indigenous Peoples. As such, the criminalization of people who use drugs is a barrier to reconciliation.

  2. Safe supply: Thousands of people are dying from toxic drugs, more so than ever before, particularly since measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19 have isolated people from services and supports. The pandemic has also disrupted supply routes of illegal substances, resulting in a more concentrated and contaminated supply.

  3. Harm reduction: Harm Reduction is grounded in a comprehensive scientific, trauma-informed and human rights-based approach. The evidence is clear that harm reduction programs such as safe consumption sites, drug checking, overdose prevention and reversal services all work to prevent deaths and connect people who use substances to public health and social programs. These approaches are cost-effective and have a positive impact on individual and community health.

  4. Legal regulation: Alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis are currently legally regulated in Canada, using controls to manage the vendor, the supply outlet, the product, and the purchaser, as appropriate. Drug regulation with a public health focus could provide safer access while protecting individuals and populations. Depending on the substance and potential harms and benefits, regulation could range from prescriptions to regulated outlets to licensed premises, with the aim of providing safer access for adults, while protecting children and youth. The status quo and prohibition have never worked. The catastrophic death rates we are currently seeing tell us that prohibition, as was the case with alcohol prohibition, adds to rather than prevents harms. Even the London School of Economics has declared the war on drugs a global failure.

  5. Treatment: We support a range of evidence-based treatment options that best meets the needs and desires of each individual. For opioid dependence, various forms of Opioid Agonist Treatment (OAT, including iOAT) are recommended by scientists and health professionals in the CRISM Canada guidelines. For stimulants and other substances, where effective substitution treatment is not currently available, recommended approaches include psychosocial supports, therapy and counselling.

    In all cases, we support increased access to publicly funded mental health and trauma supports. Residential treatment is required for a minority of people who use problematically, most often for individuals who are deprived of a stable home or can’t be at their home. All residential treatment should include access to all forms of OAT.

    Lastly, it is important to note that most people who use substances do not have a problem with their use (live with an “addiction”) and therefore do not need treatment.

  6. Emergency Declaration: The response to the COVID-19 pandemic has shown how public health measures and investments can prevent serious harms and loss of life, and yet, we have not seen the same evidence-based approach or investment in Canada’s other public health emergency, the overdose and drug poisoning crisis. To avoid past policy failures, any effective response must be guided by the people who are most affected and know best, that is, the people who use drugs and their families.

  7. Budget: Our recent experience with COVID-19 has shown us that public health measures, while costly, are effective in saving not only lives but also tax dollars in the long run, as hospitalizations are avoided, economies are protected and life spans are not cut short.iv

We firmly believe that any newly elected government should legislate change to failed drug policies and provide adequate funding to end the overdose and drug poisoning crisis. During the last federal election in 2019, such measures seemed largely out of reach given the positions of most parties. Fortunately, a great deal has changed in the interim and we know that the Liberal Party can afford to be bolder this time around. As you may know, many public health officers have spoken out in favour of decriminalization. Moreover, a recent Angus Reid opinion poll shows that a majority of Canadians support this move.v Also, to date, close to 40 communities have passed MSTH’s resolution calling on the federal government to develop a pan-Canadian overdose action plan that includes full consideration of decriminalization and legal regulation. vi Other municipalities, such as Vancouver and Montreal, have passed their own related resolutions.

We urge all parties leaders and candidates to address head-on the ongoing toxic drug poisonings with policy reforms that are based on evidence, so loved ones do not continue to die.

Party Responses

Where possible we will be including the responses received from parties and otherwise include links to statements and links to media articles on the issue.

A MACLEANS article summarizes the party platforms in various categories. Under “Health” both the NDP and GPC made statements regarding the overdose crisis (NDP) and the opioid crisis (GPC). Both these statements are noted below. No other party mentioned drug poisoning or overdose in documents reviewed in the article. This article, and our site, will be updated as more information comes available. Stay tuned!

Liberal Party - Justin Trudeau

Liberal Party response to our questions does not address the questions directly but summarizes the party platform.

From their Party Platform (pp. 25-26):

Addressing Problematic Substance Use

The opioid overdose epidemic has worsened during the COVID-19 pandemic. Tragically, in 2020, there were 6,214 opioid overdose deaths in Canada. To save lives, we need a whole-of-society approach to the opioid epidemic that addresses the main causes and supports people who use drugs with the respect and dignity they deserve. We will continue to take an evidence-based approach to problematic substance use and work with all orders of government to support innovative approaches so that Canadians have access to the care and support they need. A re-elected Liberal government will:

  • Introduce a comprehensive strategy to address problematic substance use to end the opioids crisis.

  • Invest $25 million for public education to reduce the stigma associated with problematic substance use.

  • Invest $500 million to support the provinces and territories in providing access to a full-range of evidence-based treatment, recognizing that successful treatment is not determined by long-term abstinence.

  • Support provinces and territories in creating standards for substance use treatment programs so that Canadians can access quality and evidence-based support when they need it most.

  • Support the many lower-risk and first-time offenders by reforming the Criminal Code to repeal relevant mandatory minimum penalties and requiring police and Crown prosecutors to consider diverting individuals out of the criminal justice system.

Canada’s NDP (New Democrats) - Jagmeet Singh

From “.Ready for Better: New Democrats’ Commitments to You” (2021, p. 60):

Confronting the opioid public health emergency New Democrats believe that there is much more we can do to save lives and support those struggling with opioids. In government, we will declare a public health emergency and commit to working with all levels of government, health experts and Canadians to end the criminalization and stigma of drug addiction, so that people struggling with addiction can get the help they need without fear of arrest, while getting tough on the real criminals - those who traffic in and profit from illegal drugs. We’ll work with the provinces and health professionals to create a safe supply of medically regulated alternatives to toxic street drugs, support overdose prevention sites and expand access to treatment on demand for people struggling with addiction. We will also launch an investigation into the role drug companies may have played in fueling the opioid crisis, and seek meaningful financial compensation from them for the public costs of this crisis.

In reply to a letter containing our questions, the NDP provided the following letter to MSTH:

  • Upon taking office, we plan to make such a declaration without delay. We will address this crisis with the urgency and dedication it deserves.

  • A New Democratic government will introduce legislation to decriminalize substance use in Canada and expunge criminal records for possession. We believe that the trauma and stigma caused by the criminalization of people who use drugs cannot be meaningfully addressed with half-measures.

  • We will work with the provinces and territories to extend low-barrier access to a safe supply of regulated substances to every region of the country. This is essential to save lives.

  • A New Democratic government will also put in place a national strategy to ensure that harm reduction, treatment, and recovery services are available to all those who seek access. We will back up this plan with new and significant investments.

  • Finally, a New Democratic government will adopt a wholly health-based approach to substance use in Canada. That means moving towards a consistent framework for regulating substances through evidence-based assessments of their potential harms. This would align with the advice of Canada’s leading public health experts, including the federal government’s Expert Task Force on Substance Use.

A statement on the party website reads:

Jagmeet Singh would immediately declare the overdose crisis a national public health emergency and commit to launching an investigation into the role drug companies may have played in fuelling the overdose crisis, and seek meaningful financial compensation from them for the public costs of this crisis.

Conservative Party - Erin O’Toole

The Conservative Party did not respond to our letter. This section is from the party platform under the heading “Supporting Canadians Suffering from Addiction”

Canada’s Conservatives will treat the opioid epidemic as the health issue that it is. We believe that law enforcement should focus on dealers and traffickers. The last thing that those suffering from addiction should have to worry about is being arrested. Any interaction the government has with them should focus on keeping them safe and helping them recover. To help more Canadians recover from addiction, Canada’s Conservatives will revise the federal government’s substance abuse policy framework to make recovery its overarching goal. We will reorient the Canadian Drugs and Substances Strategy towards ensuring that everyone suffering from addiction has the opportunity to recover and to lead a drug-free life and that all policies that fall under the strategy have the reduction of harm and promotion of recovery as their objectives.

To realize this goal, we will:

  • Invest $325 million over the next three years to create 1,000 residential drug treatment beds and build 50 recovery community centres across the country. ° This will give spaces to those who suffer from addiction, their families, and those who have recovered where they can get the help they need and support each other.

  • Support innovative approaches to address the crises of mental health challenges and addiction, such as land-based treatment programs developed and managed by Indigenous communities as part of a plan to enhance the delivery of culturally appropriate addictions treatment and prevention services in First Nations communities with high needs.

  • Partner with the provinces to ensure that Naloxone kits are available for free across Canada.

The CPC response to our questions:

Decriminalization

Would your party decriminalize the personal possession of illegal drugs? Also, would your party legislate this change rather than relying on informal, incremental, and discretionary measures that fall short of real decriminalization?

Canada’s Conservatives would like to see more compassion in the approach to opioid addiction and treatment. We believe that law enforcement should focus on dealers and traffickers. The last thing that those suffering from addiction should have to worry about is being arrested. Any interaction the government has with them should focus on keeping them safe and helping them recover.

Safe Supply

Would your party ensure that there is a safe supply of pharmaceutical alternatives to toxic street drugs? And, if so, what measures would you implement to ensure this is widely available?

To help more Canadians recover from addiction, Canada’s Conservatives will revise the federal government’s substance abuse policy framework and make recovery its overarching goal. We will reorient the Canadian Drugs and Substances Strategy towards ensuring that everyone suffering from addiction has the opportunity to recover and lead a drug-free life and that all policies that fall under the Strategy have the reduction of harm and promotion of recovery as their objectives.

Harm Reduction

Would your party create a legal and policy environment that funds and champions evidence-based programs in order to facilitate the development and scaling up of harm reduction services Canada-wide, including in remote and rural areas and prisons?

Canada’s Conservatives would not block safe injection sites. Our focus is on recovery. To realize this goal, we will:

• Invest $325 million over the next three years to create 1,000 residential drug treatment beds and build 50 recovery community centres across the country.

• Support innovative approaches to address the crises of mental health challenges and addiction, such as land-based treatment programs developed and managed by Indigenous communities as part of a plan to enhance the delivery of culturally appropriate addictions treatment and prevention services in First Nations communities with high needs.

• Partner with the provinces to ensure that Naloxone kits are available for free across Canada.

Legal Regulation

Would your party move to legally regulate currently illegal drugs based on the best available evidence regarding harms and benefits, and as a step towards treating problematic drug use as a health issue?

Canada’s Conservatives will treat the opioid epidemic as the health issue it is. That means that our focus will be on helping people with addictions get the help they need to recover. We believe that law enforcement should focus on dealers and traffickers. The last thing that those suffering from addiction should have to worry about is being arrested. Any interaction the government has with them should focus on keeping them safe and helping them recover.

Declaration of a National Public Health Emergency

Would your party declare the overdose crisis as a national public health emergency so that it is taken seriously and funded appropriately? And, would you ensure that emergency measures are provided in all provinces and territories and guided by the people most affected?

Canada’s Conservatives will treat the opioid epidemic as the health issue it is. We are committed to investing $325 million over the next three years to create 1,000 residential drug treatment beds for those struggling with addiction. Our plan also includes providing $1 billion over five years to boost funding for Indigenous mental health and drug treatment programs.

We’ve also committed to meeting with the Premiers within the first 100 days of forming government to propose a new health agreement with the provinces and territories that boosts the annual growth rate of the Canada Health Transfer to at least 6%. This will inject nearly $60 billion into our health care system over the next ten years and allow provinces to use the extra funding in areas they deem necessary, which could include investment in plans to combat the opioid epidemic.

Proposed Budget Relating to Overdose Crisis

What funding would your party provide to scale-up prevention, harm reduction and treatment services?

Canada’s Conservatives have committed to investing $325 million over the next three years to create 1,000 residential drug treatment beds for those struggling with addiction. We will provide $1 billion over five years to boost funding for Indigenous mental health and drug treatment programs. We’ve also committed to boosting the annual growth rate of the Canada Health Transfer to at least 6%, which will allow the provinces and territories to invest additional money into treating the opioid epidemic if they choose

Bloc Québécois - Yves-François Blanchet

The Bloc Québécois sees health as a provincial matter and does not address the drug poisoning crisis in its platform.

In reply to a letter containing our questions, the BQ provided the following statement (translated from French by MSTH - see French blog for the original text.

1) Decriminalization: We supported the recommendations of the Public Safety Committee Report 6 that sought to decriminalize simple possession of all illegal drugs. We would be willing to support such a bill at a second parliamentary reading in order to allow an exhaustive study in committee.

2) Safe Supply: We believe that the federal government has an important role to play in the approval of drugs and to review prices. Provinces and municipalities have the responsibility for ensuring accessibility through their own programs. Bloc Québécois has always supported the initiatives of supervised injection sites.

3) Harm Reduction: Bloc Québécois is in favor of harm reduction policies. BQ is particularly in favor of supervised injection sites. The Québec’s approach on drugs, addiction and harm reduction has already proven its worth and the Bloc Québécois is in favor of community groups receiving the support needed to do the fieldwork that greatly contributes to fight drug addiction and reduce related harms. We believe the federal government should grant a class exemption to protect supervised consumption services (SCS) clients and staff, including volunteers, against possible prosecution for drug possession or for activities likely to be considered as "trafficking" according to the current law, provided that a certain number of minimal conditions are met. In addition, as you mentioned, such an exemption would automatically protect SCS against prosecution, as long as certain conditions are met, which would relieve a significant administrative burden for SCS providers, as they would no longer have to request a case-by-case exemption from Health Canada. In addition, if the federal government wants to fund SCS, it would only have to unconditionally transfer the money to Quebec. We believe that mandatory minimum sentences - among other things - interfere with rehabilitation. The federal government must also do much better for the rehabilitation of inmates: the correctional investigator of Canada published a devastating report in which he considered that Canada's efforts for the rehabilitation of inmates were not sufficient, which in fact so that inmates come out without having acquired new skills. The federal government must follow the recommendations of the Correctional Investigator by providing constructive training in penitentiaries.

4) Legal regulation: Yes

5) Public Health Emergency: The provinces have the power in this area and we have full confidence in them to make the appropriate decisions. However, the health care system of the provinces is overloaded and they are under-resourced because of Ottawa's chronic underfunding. This is why the Bloc Québécois wants to immediately increase health transfers to the provinces by $ 28 billion, as they are asking, in order to cover 35% of the costs.

6) Funding: We want to give the provinces $ 28 billion in health transfers immediately so that they can tackle the many public health challenges.

Green Party of Canada (GPC) - Annamie Paul

In their platform the Green Party makes the following commitments (p. 49-50):

A Green government will:

  1. Declare the drug poisoning crisis a national public health emergency

  2. Decriminalize possession of illicit drugs for personal use

    • Remove criminal penalties for the personal possession and use of all drugs under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

    • Legislate this change rather than relying on informal, incremental, and discretionary measures that fall short of real decriminalization.

  3. Create a national safe supply of drugs of choice

    • Create a programme through the federal government so people can access pharmaceutical alternatives of drugs of choice safely.

  4. Invest in an integrated system of decriminalization and access to meaningful services for those persons who are seeking treatment ●

    • Increase funding to community-based organizations to test drugs and support those who use drugs.

    • Implement a national education and distribution program for Naloxone, so Naloxone kits are widely available to treat overdoses and every Canadian knows what it is and how to use it.

    • Create a legal and policy environment that funds and advances evidence-based programs, in order to facilitate the development and scaling up of harm reduction services across all of Canada, including in rural communities and prisons.

    • Expand support for mental health services and addiction services for those who are seeking these services.

  5. Amnesty for those convicted of simple possession of cannabis

    • Provide automatic pardons to anyone convicted in the past of simple possession of cannabis and ensure that any records of such offences and circumstances are expunged from police records.

  6. Move to legally regulate currently illegal drugs based on the best available evidence regarding harms and benefits as a step towards treating problematic drug use as a health issue.

    • Drug regulation with a public health focus, as is the case with alcohol, tobacco, and cannabis in Canada currently, could provide safer access while protecting individuals and populations.

    • Depending on the substance and potential harms and benefits, regulation could range from prescriptions to regulated outlets to licensed premises, with the aim of providing safer access for adults, while protecting children and youth. EXPANDED AN

Here is the GPC response to our questions:

1. Decriminalization - Would your party decriminalize the personal possession of illegal drugs? Also, would your party legislate this change rather than relying on informal, incremental, and discretionary measures that fall short of real decriminalization?

The Green Party of Canada was the first federal political party to call for the decriminalization of the personal possession of illicit drugs. We continue to advocate for drug decriminalization as Canada faces a drug poisoning epidemic. Decriminalization is one of the steps we must take in re-framing drug use as a criminal justice issue to a public health one, and the GPC would legislate this change to ensure real decriminalization.

2. Safe Supply - Would your party ensure that there is a safe supply of pharmaceutical alternatives to toxic street drugs? And, if so, what measures would you implement to ensure this is widely available?

Yes, the Green Party of Canada would ensure that there is a safe supply of pharmaceutical alternatives to toxic street drugs. Our national safe supply program would be created with the advice and cooperation of impacted communities and public health officials. The GPC would increase funding to community-based organizations to test drugs and support those who use drugs to ensure this is accessible to all.

3. Harm Reduction - Would your party create a legal and policy environment that funds and champions evidence-based programs in order to facilitate the development and scaling up of harm reduction services Canada-wide, including in remote and rural areas and prisons?

Yes, the Green Party of Canada follows an evidence-based approach to creating drug policy. We would champion innovative policies while listening to people who have been impacted by drug use. The Green Party of Canada would work to ensure that a harm reduction approach would fit the specific needs of different communities including rural areas and prisons.

4. Legal Regulation - Would your party move to legally regulate currently illegal drugs based on the best available evidence regarding harms and benefits, and as a step towards treating problematic drug use as a health issue?

Yes, the Green Party of Canada would work to legally regulate current illegal drugs.

5. Declaration of a National Public Health Emergency - Would your party declare the overdose crisis as a national public health emergency so that it is taken seriously and funded appropriately? Also, would you ensure that emergency measures are provided in all provinces and territories and guided by the people most affected?

Yes, the Green Party of Canada would declare the overdose crisis as a national public health emergency. We know that along with the decriminalization of illicit drugs and the creation of a safe supply, the declaration of a national health emergency would save more lives and allow drug users to get the help they need.

6. Proposed Budget Relating to Overdose Crisis - What funding would your party provide to scale-up prevention, harm reduction, and treatment services  

Funding from the declaration of a national health emergency would be allocated towards scaling up prevention, harm reduction, and treatment services, as would the necessary funding allocation to ensure this crisis is meaningfully addressed.

#CanadaVotes2021 - Les questions à poser concernant la crise des surdoses causée par la toxicité des drogues illégales

La crise des surdoses causée par la toxicité des drogues illégales continue d'être l'une des urgences de santé publique les plus dévastatrices de notre vie, avec 21 174 décès liés aux opioïdes au cours des cinq dernières années seulement. La plupart de ces décès étaient évitables et ils ont tous entraîné une dévastation incommensurable pour les familles et les communautés.

Au moment de décider pour qui voter, tenez compte des positions des partis sur la crise des surdoses, très ignorée des décideurs et qui nous a volé tant de nos proches.

Notre Bulletin

Notre bulletin est basé sur les plateformes des partis, les déclarations et les articles parus dans les médias.

MSTH federal election report card .jpg

Questions importantes à poser aux chefs de parti et aux candidats locaux :

Ces questions ont été envoyées à tous les chefs de parti. Toutes les questions, à l'exception de la question 5 ajoutée plus tard, ont été envoyées aux chefs de parti avant et au début de la campagne électorale. À ce jour, nous n'avons reçu aucune réponse.

  1. Décriminalisation: votre parti décriminaliserait-il la possession personnelle de drogues illégales ? De plus, votre parti légiférerait-il sur ce changement plutôt que de s'appuyer sur des mesures informelles, régressives et discrétionnaires qui sont loin d'une véritable décriminalisation

  2. Approvisionnement sécuritaire: Votre parti garantirait-il un approvisionnement sécuritaire en produits pharmaceutiques alternatifs aux drogues toxiques de la rue ? Et, si oui, quelles mesures mettriez-vous en œuvre pour garantir que cela soit largement disponible ?

  3. Réduction des méfaits: votre parti créerait-il un environnement juridique et politique qui financerait et défendrait des programmes fondés sur des données probantes afin de faciliter le développement et l'intensification des services de réduction des méfaits à l'échelle du Canada, y compris dans les régions éloignées et rurales ainsi que dans les établissements carcéraux?

  4. Réglementation légale: votre parti adopterait-il une réglementation légale des drogues actuellement illégales, sur la base des données probantes disponibles qui tiennent compte des méfaits et des avantages, et la considériez-vous comme étant une étape vers le traitement de la consommation problématique de drogues, celle-ci relevant du domaine de la santé et non du domaine judiciaire?

  5. Traitement: votre parti soutiendrait-il un accès complet à tous les modèles de traitement fondés sur des données probantes, y compris le traitement par agonistes opioïdes et d'autres approches de substitution ? Comment soutiendriez-vous le bien-être à long terme, y compris l'accès au logement, aux ressources en santé mentale et aux soins psychologiques et physiques?

  6. Déclaration d'urgence: votre parti déclarerait-il la crise des surdoses comme une urgence nationale de santé publique afin qu'elle soit prise au sérieux et financée de manière appropriée ? Aussi, vous assureriez-vous que des mesures d'urgence soient prévues dans toutes les provinces et territoires et guidées par les personnes les plus touchées?

  7. Financement: Quel financement votre parti fournirait-il pour intensifier les services de prévention, de réduction des méfaits et de traitement ?

Notre position :

  1. Décriminalisation: La criminalisation des personnes en possession de substances désormais illégales à des fins personnelles est une position politique du gouvernement qui contribue directement à ce que les personnes consomment et meurent seules. Cela empêche les personnes qui estiment avoir besoin d'aide pour une consommation problématique de drogues d'en demander, et perpétue une stigmatisation mortelle. Ces lois canadiennes sur les drogues sont enracinées dans le racisme et continuent d'avoir un impact disproportionné sur les Canadiens racialisés et les peuples autochtones. À ce titre, la criminalisation des personnes qui consomment des drogues est un obstacle à la réconciliation.

  2. Approvisionnement sécuritaire: des milliers de personnes meurent à cause de drogues toxiques, plus que jamais auparavant, d'autant plus que les mesures visant à empêcher la propagation du COVID-19 ont isolé les personnes des services et des soutiens. La pandémie a également perturbé les voies d'approvisionnement en substances illégales, entraînant un approvisionnement plus concentré et contaminé.

  3. Réduction des méfaits: La réduction des méfaits est fondée sur une approche scientifique globale, tenant compte des traumatismes et fondée sur les droits de l'homme. La preuve est claire que les programmes de réduction des méfaits tels que les sites de consommation sécuritaire, la vérification des drogues, et les services de prévention des surdoses fonctionnent tous pour prévenir les décès et connecter les personnes qui consomment des substances aux programmes de santé publique et sociaux. Ces approches sont rentables et ont un impact positif sur la santé individuelle et communautaire.

  4. Réglementation légale: L'alcool, le tabac et le cannabis sont actuellement réglementés par la loi au Canada, en utilisant des contrôles pour gérer le vendeur, le point de vente, le produit et l'acheteur, le cas échéant. Une réglementation des drogues axée sur la santé publique pourrait offrir un accès plus sécuritaire tout en protégeant les individus et les populations. Selon la substance, les méfaits et avantages potentiels, la réglementation pourrait aller des ordonnances aux points de vente réglementés, en passant par les locaux autorisés, dans le but de fournir un accès plus sécuritaire aux adultes, tout en protégeant les enfants et les jeunes. Le statu quo et l'interdiction n'ont jamais fonctionné. Les taux de mortalité catastrophiques que nous observons actuellement nous indiquent que la prohibition, comme ce fut le cas pour la prohibition de l'alcool, ajoute plutôt qu'elle ne prévient les méfaits. Même la London School of Economics a déclaré que la guerre contre la drogue était un échec mondial.

  5. Traitement: Nous soutenons un éventail d'options de traitement fondées sur des données probantes qui répondent le mieux aux besoins et aux désirs de chaque individu. Pour la dépendance aux opioïdes, diverses formes de traitement par agonistes opioïdes (TAO, y compris l'iOAT) sont recommandées par les scientifiques et les professionnels de la santé dans les lignes directrices du CRISM/ICRAS Canada. Pour les stimulants et autres substances, puisqu'il n'existe actuellement pas de traitement de substitution efficace, les approches recommandées comprennent le soutien psychosocial, la thérapie et le conseil.

    Dans tous les cas, nous appuyons un accès accru aux services publics en matière de santé mentale. Un traitement résidentiel est requis pour une minorité de personnes qui consomment de façon problématique, le plus souvent pour des personnes privées d'un logement stable ou qui ne peuvent pas être à leur domicile. Tout traitement résidentiel devrait inclure l'accès à toutes les formes d'OAT. Enfin, il est important de noter que la plupart des personnes qui consomment des substances n'ont pas de consommation problématique (ou vivant avec une « dépendance ») et n'ont donc pas besoin de traitement.

  6. Déclaration d'urgence: La réponse à la pandémie de COVID-19 a montré comment les mesures et les investissements de santé publique peuvent prévenir des dommages graves et des pertes de vie, et pourtant, nous n'avons pas vu la même approche ou préoccupation dans l'autre urgence de santé publique du Canada, soit la crise des surdoses et des intoxications aux drogues. Pour éviter les échecs politiques passés, toute réponse efficace doit être guidée par les personnes les plus touchées et les mieux informées, c'est-à-dire les personnes qui consomment des drogues et leurs familles.

  7. Budget: notre expérience récente avec COVID-19 nous a montré que les mesures de santé publique, bien que coûteuses, sont efficaces pour sauver non seulement des vies, mais aussi l'argent des contribuables à long terme, car les hospitalisations sont évitées, les économies sont protégées et des vies ne sont pas fauchées.

Nous croyons fermement que tout gouvernement nouvellement élu devrait légiférer pour modifier les politiques antidrogue qui ont échoué et fournir un financement adéquat pour mettre fin à la crise des surdoses causée par la toxicité des drogues illégales. Lors de la dernière élection fédérale en 2019, de telles mesures semblaient largement hors de portée compte tenu des positions de la plupart des partis. Heureusement, beaucoup de choses ont changé entre-temps et nous savons que le Parti libéral peut se permettre d'être plus audacieux cette fois-ci. Comme vous le savez peut-être, de nombreux agents de santé publique se sont prononcés en faveur de la décriminalisation. De plus, un récent sondage d'opinion Angus Reid montre qu'une majorité de Canadiens appuient cette décision. De plus, à ce jour, près de 40 collectivités ont adopté la résolution de MSTH appelant le gouvernement fédéral à élaborer un plan d'action pancanadien sur les surdoses qui comprend une décriminalisation et dépénalisation ainsi qu’une réglementation légale. D'autres municipalités, comme Vancouver et Montréal, ont adopté leurs propres résolutions connexes.

Nous exhortons tous les chefs de parti et candidats à écouter les communautés, les experts et la majorité des Canadiens qui souhaitent des mesures face à la crise des surdoses. Il est temps de faire face à cette urgence nationale de santé publique qui tue nos proches.

mashup_Mike-1-750x375-1.jpg

Réponses des partis

Liberal - Justin Trudeau

Plateforme du Parti libéral

Aborder la consommation problématique de substances

La crise des opioïdes s’est aggravée pendant la pandémie de COVID-19. En 2020, 6 214 décès étaient liés à une surdose d’opioïde au Canada. Pour sauver des vies, nous devons aborder la crise des opioïdes comme un problème de société. Nous devons aussi nous attaquer aux principales causes et soutenir avec le respect et la dignité qu’elles méritent les personnes qui consomment des drogues. Nous continuerons d’adopter une approche fondée sur des preuves en lien avec la consummation problématique de substances et de travailler avec tous les ordres de gouvernement pour soutenir des approches avantgardistes afin que les Canadiens aient accès aux soins et au soutien dont ils ont besoin. Un gouvernement libéral réélu s’engage à :

  • Mettre en place une stratégie exhaustive pour traiter la consommation problématique de substances et pour mettre fin à la crise des opioïdes.

  • Consacrer 25 millions de dollars à la sensibilization du public pour réduire la stigmatisation associée à la consommation problématique de substances.

  • Investir 500 millions de dollars pour appuyer les provinces et les territoires dans l’accès à une gamme complète de traitements fondés sur des preuves, reconnaissant que le succès du traitement n’est pas déterminé par une abstinence à long terme.

  • Soutenir les provinces et les territoires dans la création de normes pour les programmes de traitement de la consommation de substances afin que les Canadiens puissent avoir accès à un soutien de qualité et fondé sur des données lorsqu’ils en ont le plus besoin.

  • Appuyer les nombreux contrevenants à faible risqué ou ceux qui en sont à leur première infraction en procédant à une réforme du Code criminel afin d’abroger les sanctions minimales obligatoires et pertinentes, et en demandant aux policiers et aux procureurs de la Couronne d’éviter qu’ils intègrent le système de justice pénale.

Canada’s NDP (New Democrats) - Jagmeet Singh

Voir l'article de blog en anglais.

Conservative Party - Erin O’Toole

Voir l'article de blog en anglais.

Bloc Québécois - Yves-François Blanchet

Cette information provient d'une lettre au MSTH datée du 24 août 2021.

1) Votre parti décriminaliserait-il la possession de drogues illégales à des fins de consommation personnelle? Votre parti légiférerait-il réellement sur ce changement, au lieu de recourir à des mesures timides, informelles et discrétionnaires qui n’aboutissent pas à une véritable décriminalisation?

Nous avons appuyé les recommandations du rapport 6 du Comité de la sécurité publique qui cherchait à décriminaliser la possession simple de toutes les drogues illicites. Nous serions prêts à appuyer en deuxième lecture un tel projet de loi gouvernemental à cet effet afin de permettre une étude exhaustive en comité.

2) Votre parti veillerait-il à mettre en place un approvisionnement sécuritaire de médicaments de substitution aux drogues de rue toxiques? Si oui, quelles mesures mettriez-vous en place pour en assurer l’accessibilité?

Nous jugeons que le fédéral a un rôle important à jouer dans l’homologation des médicaments et pour examiner les prix. Les provinces et les municipalités ont la responsabilité d’ensuite assurez l’accessibilité via leurs propres programmes. Le Bloc Québécois a toujours appuyé les initiatives des sites d’injection supervisée.

3) Dans le but de faciliter le développement et la multiplication des services de réduction des méfaits partout au pays, y compris en région rurale et éloignée et dans les prisons, votre parti serait-il prêt à créer un contexte juridique et politique qui financerait et favoriserait des programmes fondés sur des données probantes?

Le Bloc Québécois est en faveur des politiques de réduction des méfaits. Le Bloc Québécois est favorable notamment aux sites d’injection supervisée. L’approche québécoise de lutte contre la toxicomanie a déjà fait ses preuves et le Bloc Québécois est favorable à ce que les groupes communautaires puissent recevoir le soutien nécessaire afin de faire le travail de terrain qui contribue grandement à combattre la toxicomanie et réduire les méfaits qui y sont reliés.

Nous croyons que le fédéral doit accorder une exemption de catégorie pour protéger les clients et le personnel des services de consommation supervisée (SCS), y compris bénévole, contre d’éventuelles poursuites pour possession de drogues ou pour des activités susceptibles de constituer un « trafic », dès lors qu’un certain nombre de conditions minimales sont respectées. De plus, comme vous le mentionniez, une telle exemption protègerait automatiquement les SCS contre les poursuites, dès lors que certaines conditions sont remplies, ce qui soulagerait les fournisseurs de SCS d’un fardeau administratif considérable, puisqu’ils n’auraient plus à faire de demande d’exemption au cas par cas à Santé Canada. De plus, si le fédéral veut financer les SCS, il n’aurait qu’à transférer sans condition l’argent au Québec.

Nous croyons que les peines minimales obligatoires – entre-autre – nuisent à la réhabilitation. Le fédéral doit également faire beaucoup mieux pour la réhabilitation des détenus : l’enquêteur correctionnel du Canada a d’ailleurs publié un rapport dévastateur où il estimait que les efforts du Canada pour la réhabilitation des détenus n’étaient pas suffisants, ce qui fait en sorte que les détenus sortent sans avoir acquis de nouvelles compétences. Le fédéral doit suivre les recommandations de l’Enquêteur correctionnel en fournissant des formations constructives dans les pénitenciers.

4) Votre parti s’engagerait-il à réglementer des drogues qui sont illégales à l’heure actuelle en fonction des meilleures preuves disponibles sur les inconvénients et les avantages, de manière à traiter l’utilisation problématique de drogues comme un problème de santé?

Oui.

5) Votre parti déclarerait-il la crise des surdoses comme une urgence nationale de santé publique afin qu’elle soit prise au sérieux et financée adéquatement? Veilleriez-vous également à ce que des mesures d’urgence, guidées par les personnes les plus touchées, soient prévues dans toutes les provinces et tous les territoires?

Les provinces ont les pouvoir en la matière et nous leur faisons pleinement confiance pour prendre les décisions appropriées. Cependant, le système de santé des provinces est surchargé et elles manquent de ressources à cause du sous-financement chronique d’Ottawa. C’est pourquoi le Bloc Québécois souhaite augmenter de 28 G$ immédiatement les transferts en santé aux provinces, comme celles-ci le demande, afin de couvrir 35% des coûts.

6) Quel financement votre parti accorderait-il au développement des services de prévention, de réduction des méfaits et de traitement?

Nous souhaitons donner 28 G$ aux provinces en transferts en santé immédiatement afin qu’elles puissent s’attaquer aux nombreux défis en matière de santé publique

Green Party of Canada (GPC) - Annamie Paul

Plateforme de 2021 (60-62):

  1. Déclarer une urgence nationale de santé publique face à la crise liée aux drogues mortelles

  2. Décriminaliser la possession de drogues illicites pour usage personnel

    • Supprimer les sanctions pénales pour la possession à des fins personnelles et la consommation de toutes les drogues en vertu de la Loi réglementant certaines drogues et autres substances.

    • Légiférer sur ce changement plutôt que de recourir à des mesures informelles, progressives et discrétionnaires qui n’aboutissent pas à une véritable décriminalisation.

  3. Créer un approvisionnement national sûr en drogues de prédilection

    • Élaborer un programme par l’intermédiaire du gouvernement fédéral afin que la population puisse accéder en toute sécurité à des substituts pharmaceutiques à leurs drogues de prédilection.

  4. Investir dans un système intégré de décriminalisation et d’accès à des services efficaces pour les personnes en quête de traitement

    • Augmenter le financement des organismes communautaires offrant des tests de dépistage des drogues et du soutien aux personnes qui consomment. 61

    • Mettre en œuvre un programme national d’éducation et de distribution de Naloxone afin que des trousses de Naloxone soient couramment accessibles pour traiter les surdoses et que tout le monde comprenne ce que c’est et comment l’utiliser.

    • Créer un contexte juridique et politique qui finance et encourage des programmes fondés sur des données probantes visant à faciliter l’établissement et l’élargissement des services de réduction des risques dans tout le Canada, y compris dans les milieux ruraux et les prisons.

    • Accroître le soutien aux services de santé mentale et de toxicomanie pour les personnes à la recherche de ces services.

  5. Amnistier les personnes condamnées pour possession simple de cannabis

    • Accorder un pardon automatique à toute personne condamnée pour possession simple de cannabis et veiller à ce que toutes traces des infractions et circonstances soient effacées du casier judiciaire.

  6. Proposer la légalisation des drogues actuellement illégales en se fondant sur les meilleures données disponibles sur leurs effets nocifs et bénéfiques, en vue de considérer la consommation excessive de drogues comme un problème de santé

    • Une réglementation des drogues axée sur la santé publique, comme c’est actuellement le cas au Canada pour l’alcool, le tabac et le cannabis, pourrait permettre un accès plus sûr à ces substances en plus de protéger les personnes et les communautés.

    • Selon la substance et ses bienfaits et inconvénients potentiels, la réglementation pourrait aller des ordonnances médicales aux points de vente réglementés en passant par des établissements sous licence procurant un accès sûr aux adultes et protégeant les enfants et les ados.

Riverview, Manitoba family shares their story

LIVING WITH ADICTION AND LOSS

Written by: Adam’s mom and dad; Christine Dobbs and Lang Watson

Our son Adam G. Watson born on January 8, 1989, died February 6, 2016. He died from an accidental overdose due to the toxic street drug fentanyl. Adam was raised in a loving, supportive family. He went to Riverview School and then to Churchill High School. He struggled in school and was overly sensitive. When Adam finished school, he worked various jobs that led him to be an Apprentice Electrician. He was presented with an honorary Journeyman certificate when he passed away, in recognition of his demanding work, creative thinking and problem solving. Adam did not want to die. He was only 27 years old, and this was a preventable death.

It is not that we blame anyone and, although it took years to not blame ourselves, we would like to share a few things that we now know to be true.

Looking back, Adam was a normal teenager, he liked to be adventurous and tested the limits. How does a seemingly normal young man turn to deadly drugs? Was it the party where someone brought pills found in the medicine cabinet that started the long journey ahead? We kept hoping that it would just go away but the real scare came in an early morning conversation before he left for work, “Mum,” he said, “I have a serious problem. I’m addicted to oxycontin, an opiate.” Shocked and shattered, we were not even sure what an opiate was, and we certainly had no idea about the dangers of this addiction. We immediately started the awful and humiliating task of trying to get help for his addiction. Not much was available in 2016 and our health care system was ill prepared for the growing addiction crisis. The Methadone treatment program helped him stabilize and helped him from having to search out for the street drugs. The program did nothing to help him seek out the root causes and frankly, for Adam, the program just made his feelings of shame worse. The stigma of drug addiction is very real and lining up to get a dose of methadone was humiliating.

Lessons we learned:

  • If you suspect someone you love has a substance use disorder, start with telling them you love them and you are there to support them as much as you are able.

  • Talk openly without shaming, without anger, asking how you can help.

  • If you suspect drug use, talk to your loved one’s friends and ask them what they know, and if they are they willing to help. Talk to the parents of his/her friends. Do not be afraid or feel shame. Drug use is a real thing, and it is not going away. Remember, it sometimes takes a village to help.

  • Talk to other family members about the addiction and your fears. Do not try to do this alone, join a support group. Self care is important.

  • Talk to the school or their employer. Do not be afraid to talk to employers, they need to also be aware, and they need to show compassion. Some employers may have programs and counselling opportunities available through their EAP services.

  • Read and learn what you can about the causes and care, learn about the detox and treatments available. Immediately learn how to use a Naloxone/Narcan Kit (opioid overdose antidote) and get one for your home and for your loved one. A Naloxone/Narcan kit and learning CPR is what can save a life. Be prepared.

  • Do not be in denial - Harm Reduction is the one thing that can save a person from overdose and death.

  • Be prepared for the day your child or loved one asks for help. Know who to call, know the waiting time, talk to your family doctor. It is critically important that if your child asks for help, they get it right away. The opportunity to access treatment/support can close very quickly for someone using drugs. It is not their fault; they have a disease that needs medical intervention.

Since the time of Adams death, we have researched and watched videos. We have joined support groups for our grief and groups that advocate for change in drug policies and that push governments for evidence-based harm reduction. Know what Harm Reduction is because it saves lives. Harm Reduction is Naloxone kits, the Good Samaritan Act, Methadone programs, Safe or Supervised Consumption Sites, Safe Supply, Decriminalization of personal amounts of illicit substances (SUPPORT DON’T PUNISH), and redefining recovery. Mental health and addictions services are part of the primary care with a focus on early identification, prevention, and treatment options. So much could be done and much has changed since Adam died, but not enough!

There are far too many of our children dying within a system that lacks compassion, expertise, and appropriate resources. In our own community we know of seven young people who have died as a result of poisoned street drugs. And there are several others that are struggling with addiction. The dangers of street drugs and addiction do not discriminate. Our Health care professionals and those in the field of mental health and addictions are often not in touch with the latest research and protocols. There are not enough provincial supports for mental health and addictions. There is no provincially led medical detox for opiate users, something that is so needed, as many will not go into detox because the pain of withdrawal can be a frightening reality. The current privacy laws present roadblocks to recovery. Parents, family members and significant others need to be part of the process and need to be involved. We need to be looking at the root causes of addiction. Much research is starting to present itself like that of Gabor Mate, a well documented scholar in the world of trauma and the long-term effects. Criminalization of people who are using illegal substances does nothing to help them. The police and justice system need to look at the “support don’t punish model”. The stigma caused by criminalization prevents people from asking for help and choosing a life saving option. Many of our children died alone, and Adam was one of those children, driven into the shadows by a judgmental society.

As caring and compassionate citizens we need to create spaces in our communities for both those who are addicted, as well as their support people. The isolation that so often occurs with addiction simply exacerbates an already painful and untenable situation. If we do not support each other in our community, eventually we all suffer in silence.

Let us open the dialogue about addiction and what needs be done to improve services. We have included in this piece some of the resources that can help you or your loved ones. Although navigating a system is exceedingly difficult, it is very important that you take the time now and prepare yourself. Wait lists are a big issue for those trying to access a treatment program.


Resources:

Rapid Access to Addictions Medicine (RAAM) – 5 clinic sites in Manitoba: (limited hours of operation)
Patients can self refer to a RAAM clinic. RAAM clinics are walk-in clinics for adults (ages 18+) looking to get help with high-risk substance use and addiction.
Call 1-855-662-6605 for more information or visit: https://afm.mb.ca/programs-and-services/raam/

Moms Stop the Harm (MSTH) is a network of Canadian families impacted by substance-use related harms and deaths. We advocate to change failed drug policies and provide peer support to grieving families and those with loved ones who use or have used substances. Momsstoptheharm.com

Addictions Foundation of Manitoba (AFM): http://afm.mb.ca//contact/ Toll free: 1-866-638-2561 Winnipeg Men’s Services: 204-944-6209
Winnipeg Women’s Services: 204-944-6229
For a listing and contact information for all AFM offices outside of Winnipeg: http://afm.mb.ca/contact/afm-offices-outside-winnipeg/

Manitoba Opioid Support & Treatment (MOST)– Addictions Foundation of Manitoba https://afm.mb.ca/programs-and-services/most/
Winnipeg 204-944-7070 Brandon 204-729-3838

Nine Circles Community Health Centre, Winnipeg (admission criteria apply for intake into primary care and OAT) https://ninecircles.ca/programs-services/clinic-services/become-client-nine- circles/ General Line: 204-940-6000; Toll Free: 1-888-305-8647

Klinic Community Health, Winnipeg (admission criteria apply for intake into primary care and OAT)
http://klinic.mb.ca/health-care/team-based-medical-care/
Phone: (204) 784-4090

Behavioral Health Foundation: 204-269-3430 http://www.bhf.ca Long term residential treatment

Opiate Assessment Clinic – Health Science Centre: 204-787-2482 https://cpsm.mb.ca/cjj39alckF30a/wp- content/uploads/Opioid%20Assessment%20Clinic.pdf

Mainstreetproject.ca Withdrawal Management Services

Streetconnections.ca We base our services on a harm reduction philosophy. This means that we support programs and policies that improve the health of people who use drugs and support people in their efforts to keep themselves and the larger community safe, without judging people for their sexual or drug use practices. They have an extensive list of where you can get a Naloxone Kits, for free

IOAD.jpg

August 31st is International Overdose Awareness Day.

It is a day to remember our loved ones who have gone too soon. A day to create awareness and educate yourself and others on the perils of addiction.

It is a day to tie a purple ribbon around your tree to show others you do care.