(1) First we have to keep people alive to give them a chance for recovery. During #covid19 drugs are more toxic, and seeking and taking drugs is more dangerous.
calgarysun.com/opinion/column…
(2) when people struggle with addiction, drug use happens, regardless of consequences. Creating more treatment spaces in a crisis will helps some but not all. People will seek treatment when they are ready and ready is different for each person
(3) prescribing a safe alternative to toxic street drugs does not equate to "free drugs". It means prescription alternatives to toxic street supply within provincial drug plans. It is a public health approach to a health crisis. #safesupply
(4) #safesupply is the opposite giving up on people. It means believing in the person and giving them hope. It means opening the door to addressing underlying issues, to get housing other health and social supports.
(5) #safesupply tells people that we as a society care for the wellbeing of people who use drugs and research shows that it has long-term positive outcomes, including less risky use, lower doses, move to opioid substitution and even abstinence.
(6) In AB 118 have died of #COVID19AB. In the same time period 138+ people from an overdose. Numbers are most likely higher, as seen in BC & ON, but we don't even have the #survailance data in AB.
#ABpoli #ableg #abhealth
(7) #MSTH applauds the evidence-based approach to #COVID19 & would like to the same for the #overdosecrisis.
We thank our friends from @ChangetheFaceAB for bringing this important issue of the #DualEpidemics to the attention of @CMOH_Alberta.