The Truth Around Open Drug Use in Our Communities

Public Drug Use - Help!

01 02 24 From Fear to Understanding: The Truth Around Open Drug Use in Our Communities

In this special Learning Moment edition, we take a look at the concerns around the recent BC Supreme Court injunction on deferring implementation of legislation to stop public/open drug use in British Columbia. Understandably this subject can be very emotional and personal, especially when it comes to the well-being of children.

There is a lot of misinformation being bandied about. Much of it is emotionally fueled. People want to know why drug policy reform or health organizations would support harm reduction strategies that prioritize public health and safety including public drug use in some areas of our communities over criminal justice.

Let's start by stating that there are no changes in the injunction to the original decriminalization legislation. That means the police still have all the power they need to exercise public safety around drug use or possession at elementary and secondary schools, licensed childcare facilities, spray pools, commonly referred to as splash pads, wading pools, playgrounds, skateparks, airports, and on Canadian Coast Guard vessels and helicopters.  

In a very simple way, we could just point to how ineffective the criminalization of people who use substances for personal reasons has been over the last 150 years. It’s almost passé to mention how failed the War on Drugs has been and the damage it has caused. By now, no one should be thinking that criminal justice policies will get us out of this mess we call the unregulated poisoned drugs catastrophe. Let’s take a look at what would reduce public or open use of drugs in our communities.

There are better models. More human and compassionate plans that embrace communities as a whole. First and foremost, it's important to acknowledge that substance disorders/addiction is a complex matter that affects individuals, families, and communities in many different ways. While it's true that open drug use in public spaces can be disturbing and potentially harmful to children, it's also important to recognize that criminalizing drug use and pushing it underground makes the unregulated drug catastrophe much worse.

Open drug use in public spaces is certainly not ideal, and it's not something that anyone would normally encourage or promote. However, it's important to recognize that people who are struggling with addiction do not always have access to safe and private spaces for drug use. Decriminalization does NOT cause open drug use. Not having access to Overdose Prevention Sites or having no homes leaves people who use substances and who are marginalised with no alternatives. In these cases, harm reduction strategies like supervised injection facilities and naloxone distribution help to minimize the risks associated with drug use, and save lives.

Would we be even having this discussion if the Province had also significantly increased the implementation of safe injection sites at the same time as the decriminalization initiative?

Understandably this issue can be difficult to navigate and there are valid concerns about the impact on children. However, the hope is that you can see that drug policy reform organizations are working to address this issue in a thoughtful and nuanced way, to promote public health and safety for all members of our communities.

In the end, using drugs in public places has become a red herring the government did not fully appreciate when it implemented the decriminalization initiative trial. It's a perfect example of what happens when you push on a balloon - something always pops out on the other side. Some would say they took the easy road, thinking that decriminalization initiatives would be a simple step and satisfy many British Columbians that they were actively addressing the unregulated poisoned drug catastrophe in our Province.

One thing that decriminalization has accomplished is that it has brought to light for the majority of British Columbians just how bad the substance use/disorders problem is in our communities. There is no more hiding in the dark. This contributes to the angst of many who would prefer to just not know. It’s a hard pill to swallow when we finally see the dark underside of social/health issues that have been mismanaged or under-managed for decades. Remember, one of the most important aspects of decriminalization is the diversion from the criminalization of people into the health system. Unfortunately, those referral processes were not increased or enhanced with decriminalization implementation.

Here is the most important part of this discussion. Although many of us in drug policy reform see the decriminalization policy in mostly a positive light, we would have rather seen the Government act on far more important steps in addressing the poisoned drug catastrophe. Addressing the root causes of drug addiction, such as poverty, homelessness, trauma, and lack of access to mental health services, is a critical component of drug policy reform. Scaling up safer regulated supply across the province. Creating seamless recovery programs that can be accessed in minutes or hours rather than weeks or months. These are the policies that will address underlying causes, help prevent substance disorders, and support people struggling with them.

Pushing drug use out of the public eye can indeed be dangerous for people using substances, as using alone is the most significant risk factor for overdose deaths. Additionally, decriminalization alone does not address the root causes of substance use disorders, such as poverty, trauma, and lack of access to mental health services. Nor does it provide alternatives like safer supply.

While decriminalization can help reduce the number of overdose deaths by allowing people to seek help without fear of punishment, it is not a long-term solution to the opioid epidemic. To truly address the crisis, we need to address its underlying causes and provide adequate support and resources to people struggling with substance disorders.

This includes increasing access to evidence-based treatment, such as medication-assisted therapy and behavioral therapies, as well as addressing social determinants of health like poverty, housing instability, and food insecurity. It also requires addressing the stigma surrounding substance use disorders, which can prevent individuals from seeking help and disclosing their struggles with friends and family.

In summary, while decriminalization is an essential step in addressing the opioid epidemic, it is not enough on its own. We need to combine it with other harm reduction strategies, such as supervised injection facilities, naloxone distribution, and peer support programs, and address the root causes of substance use disorders to truly turn the tide on this crisis. By taking a comprehensive approach, we can help people struggling with substance disorders recover and build healthier, safer communities for everyone.

Learning Moments are written to foster understanding of all aspects of substance or mental health disorders  - It is an initiative of the Port Alberni Community Action Team - Families Helping Families

Author: Ron Merk  – Ron is the Co-Chair of the Port Alberni Community Action Team He advocates for people with substance or mental health disorders.