As @ABDanielleSmith shuffles the cabinet and dispenses her favours, let’s take a quick look at the storied history of being a #UCP “Minister of Mental Health and Addictions”.
The concept of involuntary care, or forced treatment, is often flouted as compassionate. Coupled with weaponizing “public safety” language, people who use drugs are framed as incapable of making their own decisions and as dangers to the community at large.
Driving home from #IOAD2024 event in #PortAlberni today and noticed someone slumped against a building with another person standing over them looking anxious.
I decided to pull over and check things out.
🧵
#bcpoli
When I arrived on scene I saw the person on the ground was motionless and the other person was calling 911.
I introduced myself and let her know I was a nurse, asked her if I could take over.
“Yes” she said nervously.
As I assessed, I explained to the bystander what I would be doing.
S - stands for stimulate
A - stands for airway
V - stands for ventilation
E - stands for evaluation
M - stands for medication (naloxone)
E - stands for evaluation
Effect of Risk Mitigation Guidance opioid and stimulant dispensation on mortality and acute care visits during dual public health emergencies: retrospective cohort study
“This study found that RMG opioid dispensations were associated with a reduced likelihood of all cause and overdose related mortality among people with a diagnosis of opioid use disorder.”
This is a massive study of almost 12,000 people.
“The protective effect of RMG opioid dispensations on mortality is congruent with findings from an evaluation of a prescribed opioid safer supply programme in Ontario in which mortality was rare among participants receiving medications”