NDP on International Overdose Awareness Day « Canada’s NDP
NDP Mental Health and Harm Reduction critic Gord Johns made the following statement:
“Today, on International Overdose Awareness Day, we remember the thousands of Canadians who have been taken from us by the drug toxicity crisis.
And we recognize the pain and grief of families and loved ones who have been left behind.
We also honour and think of the millions of Canadians who are in recovery, many of whom have survived because of the critical support of first responders and public health professionals.
We know from experts and experience that overdoses and overdose deaths are preventable with public policies and actions that are both compassionate and safe for all Canadians.
Prevention and health promotion initiatives are required to inform young people of the risk of overdose. Safe consumption sites are required to stop overdoses. Safe and regulated alternatives to toxic street drugs are needed to prevent overdose and overdose deaths.
New Democrats want to see cost-free and no-wait treatment programs to provide a path to recovery for those who are ready and able.
Fear and stigma, spread through lies and misinformation by parties who wish to use this crisis for their political advantage, shouldn’t divert attention from the need for life-saving programs. Hostility and shame only take away from essential life-saving work, especially when the number of overdose deaths in our country now exceeds 44,000 since 2016.
New Democrats stand with the overwhelming numbers of experts, public health professionals, police, and families who’ve lost loved ones in calling on the government to take a health-based approach to substance use policy and for a national toxic drug strategy to save lives.
On behalf of all New Democrats, I want to express our condolences to those who have lost loved ones to this terrible crisis and to those who are still struggling. We’re committed to making sure no other families experience this devastation.”