Thread by @SoniaFurstenau

From August 2017 to July 2021, over 6,000 people died from our toxic illicit drug market.

6,000 British Columbians who could still be here today if the political will to save them existed.

Why has the @jjhorgan’s gov’t not introduced non-medicalized #safesupply? 1/ #bcpoli

For the past 6 years, our province has been in a public health emergency in which the toxic illicit drug supply has taken more lives than homicide, suicide, and car crashes combined.

These deaths are preventable. The policy tools are there but we haven't used them. 2/ #bcpoli

Current drug policy frameworks are rooted in prohibition, criminalization, and marginalization, and they are simply not working.

These archaic policies worsen the stigma that this gov’t has said it wants to reduce. 3/ #bcpoli #safesupply #EndtheStigma

We can freely purchase alcohol, cannabis, and over-the-counter medication in this province. Reducing stigma starts with making the supply accessible, predictable, and safe. 4/ #bcpoli #safesupply

People who use drugs – whether occasionally or regularly – deserve access to a drug supply that they can rely on, that is safe, and that won’t send them to the morgue.

@jjhorgan did not answer my question - and @s_malcolmson used the same tired old talking points. 5/ #bcpoli

Focusing only on treatment is flawed. The @bcndp's solution is to “get clean”, “get treated”, and “get fixed.”

Recovery is important for those who have substance use disorder, but it is impossible to get better if you’re dead.

This is why we need #safesupply. 6/6 #bcpoli