Safe drug supply vital to save lives
Re: “Safe drug supply pilot will be disastrous”, (Cowichan Valley Citizen, July 23)
The dehumanizing tone by the author of “Safe drug supply pilot will be disastrous” is both sad and upsetting. He repeatedly refers to folks struggling with drug addiction as “junkies” and claims that running a safe drug supply pilot will increase crime by drawing more drug users to our area. Community members facing drug addiction are people like anyone else, and this kind of language only serves to villainize and stigmatize.
Harm reduction is an important part of addressing the overdose crisis in B.C., and through providing a safe supply of drugs, many lives can be saved. People that are addicted to drugs should be treated with respect and empathy, rather than being villainized and criminalized. As an ad campaign in B.C. reminds us, folks struggling with addiction are members of our community who deserve care and support like everyone facing health problems.
Instead of attacking and othering community members who are struggling with addiction, consider that access to a safe supply of drugs may be the bridge that saves many people’s lives, and brings them to the support and help they need to recover.
Trevor Dickinson
Duncan