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Are we ready 2.0?
By Tom Shypitka
Op-Ed Commentary
On January 16, 2023, I wrote a letter to the editor expressing my concerns regarding the BC NDP government’s decision to decriminalize certain illicit harmful and highly addictive drugs. This was two weeks prior to the implementation of the NDP’s decriminalization pilot. I asked the question, “Are we ready?”
At that time, I referred to it as an experiment and likened B.C. to a guinea pig, simply asking if we were prepared for the consequences without the proper supports like treatment, prevention, and enforcement.
My apprehensions have sadly been realized in ways I never anticipated, particularly the tragic loss and repeated overdoses among our youth. Children as young as 12 and 13 are accessing these drugs, leading to fatal overdoses. My letter faced criticism, and I took considerable heat for my stance. However, I firmly stand by my belief that our community needs better access to support and treatment, including the authority to mandate such treatment when necessary.
The increasing number of fatalities is a trajectory we must urgently reverse. Harm reduction is just one of the pillars of recovery, but it is imperative that we have robust support systems and effective treatment options to protect our children and prevent further loss.
On February 22, 2023, BC United leader Kevin Falcon unveiled a $1.5 billion comprehensive plan to revamp mental health services and establish a recovery-oriented care system for addiction. Highlighting the need for a significant shift, Falcon criticized governments for dismantling institutional mental health care without providing adequate community support. He emphasized the need for compassionate, immediate, and accessible treatment options to protect vulnerable individuals from exploitation with a specific focus on at-risk youth. It also included limited compassionate involuntary treatment.
Key aspects of the plan include:
- Expansion of Treatment Facilities:
o Red Fish Healing Centre: Triple the number of beds and replicate this model in regional centres.
o Regional Recovery Communities: Establish at least five communities offering up to one year of individualized, holistic treatment, including care for Indigenous populations.
- Affordable and Accessible Treatment:
o Eliminate user fees for publicly funded addiction treatment.
o Government funding for private treatment beds to remove financial barriers.
o Virtual opioid dependency program for immediate access to medications like suboxone or methadone.
- Comprehensive Care Initiatives:
o Integrate residential treatment with counseling and job training, similar to the Single Parent Employment Initiative.
o Designate living units in correctional centers for addiction treatment to aid reintegration post-sentence.
- Support for Complex Mental Health Needs:
o Triple the beds at the Red Fish Healing Centre and build additional centres in various regions.
o Legislate limited use of involuntary treatment for at-risk youth and adults in modern, compassionate facilities.
o Address homelessness with evidence-based, person-centered services.
- Awareness and Prevention:
o Youth-focused public education on addiction and recovery.
o Workplace campaigns to help employers support employees with substance use disorders.
o Programs to assist families in navigating the recovery system and providing support for loved ones.
- Data and Transparency:
o Establish detailed tracking systems for performance measures and targets.
o Benchmark the number of publicly funded mental health and addiction treatment beds.
Better is Possible goes beyond bumper-sticker politics and is a commitment to the urgency of providing immediate, accessible treatment options and comprehensive support systems to improve outcomes for those struggling with mental health and addiction issues.
– Tom Shypitka is BC United MLA for Kootenay East
