Thread by @momsstoptheharm

An editorial full of errors about @LethbridgeOps, Tweeted by @jasonluan88's staff.
The protesters do not speak for the entire community. This is a foul-mouthed minority that is ignoring COVID rules & has spit in the face of LOPS volunteers (video avail.).
#ableg Thread 1/

https://twitter.com/Leth_Herald/status/1321490096965570561

Wrong 1: @LethbridgeOps does not “enable drug use”, but was created in response to the closure of the SCS and the #overdose death rate (3 ppl die in AB every day). The rates in the South Zone are the worst in the province.
#ableg #abhealth
2/
open.alberta.ca/dataset/f4b74c…

Wrong 2: There are not more ppl using drugs because of @LethbridgeOps. Drug use will happen when people lack housing, living wages mental health & trauma supports. When people face systemic racism & discrimination. While an OPS does not increase use, it decreases death.#ableg 3/

Wrong 3: Nobody has ever died in the Lethbridge SCS parking lot (or other). Ppl who consume at an SCS stay after they use, so staff can ensure they are ok, to engage in conversation, to connect people with services (treatment), to take care of health issues #ableg #abhealth
4/

Wrong 3: The protesters call for “arrests”, while Canada’s Chiefs of Police call for a health approach instead of criminalization of PWUD.
Reversing an overdose and saving a life is not illegal and is protected under the Good Samaritan Overdose Act.
#ableg #abhealth
5/

The OPS is currently unsanctioned, and these volunteers are responding to an emergency in an effort to save lives. Like off of harm reduction started by people most affected. When your friends are dying, you need to act.
#ableg #abhealth
6/

Wrong 5: LOPS was not started by outside parties. All volunteers are local to Lethbridge and the region. Many volunteers worked at the SCS before & are trusted by clients. Many are families who have lost a loved one or have a loved one with lived experience.
#ableg #abhealth
7/

Wrong 6: #MSTH is not a movement that invaded AB but was started right here in this province, but is now Canada wide.
@LornaKay_Thomas and I live in AB, @leslie_mcbain was born and raised here and has close family ties.
#ableg #abhealth
8/
momsstoptheharm.com/our-history

The movement started here because our children were dying of preventable substance-use related deaths and they are dying in increasing numbers.
We speak and act from painfully gained experience.
#ableg #abhealth
9/

Most of our @LethbridgeOps volunteers live there, some come from Piikani and Medicine hat. They bring snacks, warm clothes, and kind words for the people who access the service. They help because they believe and life and giving people hope for the future.
#ableg #abhealth
10/

@LethbridgeOps has the support of people who use, of families, of academics, physicians, nurses & ordinary Albertans because too many families in AB are already grieving and we have to do more to help people rather than let them die.
#ableg #abhealth
11/
calgaryherald.com/news/politics/…

We hope more people in Lethbridge will volunteer for @LethbridgeOps, or bring clothes, snacks or donate to the operation. Be part of the solution, not the problem.
#ableg #abhealth
12/end
gofundme.com/f/lethbridge-o…