Photo by Vince Fedoroff
SENDING A MESSAGE – Scott Hartling signs a postcard to MP Larry Bagnell on Tuesday in downtown Whitehorse, urging him to support drug policies based on health and hu- man rights. Looking on, left to right, are Arlene MacIsaak, an ER mental health nurse, Sophia Topper and Bronte Renwick-Shields.
The Blood Ties Four Directions Centre participated Tuesday in the Support Don’t Punish movement.
The Blood Ties Four Directions Centre participated Tuesday in the Support Don’t Punish movement.
The Global Day of Action saw thousands of people take part in events in more than 150 cities across more than 80 countries.
The campaign calls for changes to drug laws, for the decriminalisation of low-level, non-violent drug offences, and for investments in effective and cost-effective harm reduction responses for people who use drugs.
A banner was dropped at the Yukon Government Main Administration Building on Tuesday morning.
The centre also hosted a photo-booth at Main Street and Third Avenue. Passersby were able to sip free lemonade, pledge their support, sign petitions and send postcards to Yukon MP Larry Bagnell advocating for changes to federal drug policies.
“By organizing this event, Blood Ties Four Directions Centre is joining partners from across the world in proclaiming that the harms caused by the war on drugs can no longer be ignored,” the centre said in a statement.
“It is time to leave behind harmful politics, ideology and prejudice and to prioritize health and human rights over incarceration and futile efforts to achieve a ‘drug-free world’.
“It is time to support, and not punish, people who use drugs, and other non-violent drug offenders.”
The centre noted more than 4,000 Canadians died last year as a result of preventable opioid overdoses.
“This crisis continues to kill our loved ones, friends, family, and community members,” it said.
“Criminalizing drugs users perpetuates the shame and stigma of drug use and the false belief that addiction is a moral failing of the individual.
“Criminalization of people who use drugs is a waste of police and legal resources and uses up your tax dollars. Imprisoning people does not cure addiction. Drug use and addiction is a public health issue, not a criminal one.”
Tuesday was also the United Nations’ International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking – “a day when governments typically celebrate their record of drug arrests and seizures,” the centre said.
“In the past, some governments have even commemorated this day by holding public executions or beatings of drug offenders.”
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Comments (10)
Up 1 Down 2
Tonald Drump on Jul 3, 2018 at 10:48 pm
The problem boils down to a social cost. Petty crime, violence, abuse, etc.
I'd like to see these individuals locked in a recovery facility until they get clean with an assigned government job afterwards requiring weekly drug tests. One slip up, and they are back in rehabilitation for another 4 months to repeat the program
Eventually, they won't need the drugs anymore, will have a job, and be productive in society.
Problem solved.
Up 0 Down 2
Youllgetwhatyoudeserve on Jul 3, 2018 at 7:35 pm
The people who think by legalizing all drugs are just plain docile. Do you not realize the government weed for example, won't be tampered with? There is already members of the illegal drug trade infiltrated into the system to do just exactly that.
The weed will be laced with fentynal like it has been before with the sole purpose to form a loss of confidence with government weed. The wheels are already in motion and time will show this. You best hope that you aren't one of the pawns in this plot.
Up 4 Down 4
Juniper Jackson on Jul 1, 2018 at 4:38 pm
I totally agree with Ms. Ginger Johnson. People choose the life they want...there are no do overs. I think I know very few if any junkies.. but recent deaths of people I do know has reminded me, that no one, ever knows, what goes on behind closed doors or who anyone really is.
"The centre noted more than 4,000 Canadians died last year as a result of preventable opioid overdoses." These 4,000 Canadians chose to die this way.
There are some good points here made about responsibility and consequences. Some seem to be users, hidden users waxing quite eloquently about the virtues of paying for other peoples vices. I believe anyone can get any drug they want easily in town.. (except from a doctor; getting a pain killer out of a doctor these days is like pulling teeth off a chicken). There is no war on drugs in Canada and https://www.narconon.ca/drug-information/canada-drug-abuse.html to boot we have a "nice" reputation for our production of drugs.. especially the coveted "B.C. Buds". Just my opinion.. I don't care who does dope.. or who is a drunk..I just don't want to pay for other people's bad decisions.
Up 8 Down 5
Captain Obvious on Jun 29, 2018 at 3:28 pm
@My Opinion
I simply ask that you look at Portugal, Uruguay and other countries that put science ahead of arm-chair reactionists. Their addiction rates and associated costs were slashed within years. What you think is the correct route of action may be hurting people and costing the taxpayer magnitudes more. In places like the safe injection sites in Van, the business neighbours were the biggest opponents. After a few years, when the Feds were trying to shut them down, those same people were the biggest proponents to keeping them open.
They were able to see the difference first hand.
Getting people help is significantly more effective than paying for their ER visits. And remember, many of the people using Opiates are there by being prescribed them by doctors, and then were dropped and had to turn to the dark side to stay level. These are working-class, solid people. I personally now know 3 deaths DIRECTLY due to this. Families, solid jobs, hard, hard workers, but got hurt, got hooked legally, and then got dropped. They hid the addiction from their friends and family because they were embarrassed (which made it doubly hard to reach for help). Now they are gone, and we all wish we could have helped.
As for marginalized people who have less of a solid base, it's even more difficult.
People may not like seeing a person being given a "free" place to live, and "free" outpatient healthcare and counseling, but when that same person is soaking up $400k+ a year in emergency services costs, you have to weigh your moral opinion versus scientific reality.
This is a health issue and social issue; one that needs to be met with support, not opposition. The studies have been done. The science is solid.
Up 7 Down 7
My Opinion on Jun 28, 2018 at 8:07 pm
@ Captain
I see your point but if the Government starts supplying the drugs then in about ten years time we will be paying all these people Millions of dollars for wrecking their lives.
The PC Virtue signalling left will never get it, and will not be in Government for long because they don't see the big picture at all. Social Engineers the lot of them.
Up 13 Down 3
ProScience Greenie on Jun 28, 2018 at 12:21 pm
The thing about legalizing drugs and adopting 'smart on drugs' policies is that the suit and tie people at the top of the illegal drug trade won't allow it as it would cut into their bottom line. Just follow the money.
Up 15 Down 7
Captain Obvious on Jun 28, 2018 at 10:54 am
We ABSOLUTELY have a war on drugs, and it is hurting us all. Use them or don't, the prohibition is only helping drug dealers and those tasked with playing whack-a-mole to combat them. ALL the rest of us lose.
The UN has just very loudly suggested to *legalize* all drugs. The reasoning behind it is very sound.
Prohibition by definition moves control of the issue out of the sphere of influence of the government. People are ALWAYS going to want to get high. You can't remove that base human instinct.
The criminal system is meant to enforce against people from hurting each other, and was never meant to protect people from themselves. It just doesn't work.
If you want to get an excellent view from people who are actually well-informed about the issue and those surrounding it, please search L.E.A.P. (Law Enforcement Against Prohibition). These are cops, judges, medical professionals, and law professionals who are trying to fight against the drug war to try and reign the issue back in to our sphere of influence. It will open your eyes.
Until then, we have drug dealers making record profits, police resources diverted away from real crime, people dying from poisoned drugs, immense strain on our medical resource, and crime driven by the fact these things happen in the shadows.
This is a Financial problem in regards that the only way to stop the black market is to undercut it, and a Health problem in regards to getting people the help they so greatly need. It's not going to stop until we look at it from a scientific perspective rather than a moral one, because what we are doing now isn't working. It's only getting worse. Prohibition does not work.
Up 20 Down 10
Ginger Johnson on Jun 27, 2018 at 10:51 pm
PFFFT - you willingly put garbage in your body - I couldn't care less about what happens to you
Up 21 Down 5
Akword on Jun 27, 2018 at 6:22 pm
So then someone accused of theft, driving or say rape who was high at the time is not able to be found guilty?
We have some serious issues as a society alright, but when folks can get illegal drugs and not face a consequence for their actions while high, then we have some serious issues.
Up 15 Down 18
Hugh Mungus on Jun 27, 2018 at 3:43 pm
Seriously though. Canada has no war on drugs, stop over hyping it. That is a US phenomenon.
That said, I'm all for more corrections and courts dollars to be funneled into treatment, programming and healthier life paths.
People should not be facing criminal a criminal record/charges for using or possessing of small quantities.