Conservatives vs Social Policy

Despite continuing criticism and skepticism from many members of the community, the Lethbridge safe injection site is expected to open in 2018. The decision was finalized after almost a year of discussion among executive community members and a six month needs assessment. A total of nine community information sessions were held which has garnered a lot of support. It is critical to note, however, that significant backlash is still being heard from prominent voices in southern Alberta. While they are unlikely to have a major impact at the present time, Vancouver’s history makes it clear that opposition can lead to time consuming and expensive court cases.

Conservative and Wild Rose party members have voiced several concerns throughout the past year, mirroring former Prime Minister Stephen Harpers stance several years ago. Among some of the most prominent voices are those of Mike Ellis, who is pushing for more traditional approaches to the issue and Brian Jean, who was among those pushing to close Vancouver’s Insite project. The debate against Vancouver’s safe injection clinic heard voices from more than just politicians. Drug prevention researcher Dr. Colin Mangham and former Vancouver police officer John McKay have been among those to publicly criticize the effectiveness of the clinic. It is likely Lethbridge will be subject to similar opposition in the coming months as the project moves forward. It is important to keep a positive outlook on the project despite the criticism that will undoubtedly be coming out of the woodwork.

The initial discussion was prompted by the astonishing statistics regarding southern Alberta’s drug problem. Reports showed that overdose deaths in S. Alberta have reached a level of one per day, many of these due to opioid use. The emergence and popularity of the synthetic drug Fentanyl is responsible for the increase in overdose deaths all over the country. A study done in Vancouver showed that up to 90% of opioids being sold on the streets were laced with Fentanyl, which is 30–50 times stronger than Heroin. While significantly smaller, S. Alberta is not immune to the devastation caused by Fentanyl and other common street drugs. On top of the increase in deaths, a common and devastating side effect of IV drugs use is and has always been the transfer of blood borne infection. S. Alberta is experiencing higher rates of HIV and AIDS cases than it did during the height of the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s.

Even though opposition remains strong, there are currently no other innovative solutions being proposed, and certainly, nothing that can provide the same impressive statistics that safe injection sites do. Not one overdose death was reported inside Vancouver’s safe injection site since its opening, and regular users are shown to be 30% more likely to pursue addiction services. On top of this, patients are far less likely to come in contact with HIV contaminated needles, stopping the spread of HIV through IV drug use.

Other than providing a safe and secluded place to use IV drugs, patients will have access to harm reduction services, addictions counseling, and other primary care services. Citizens will be less likely to encounter someone using IV drugs around the city or find used needles in public areas. The city will also save money on emergency services since overdosing will be reduced and medical care can be provided on site. The clinic will not only provide safer neighborhoods but will increase the number of people seeking help and become a productive member of society.

Overall, there is no statistical or rational reason why Lethbridge should not open a safe injection clinic. It is important to keep in mind the idea is still very new in N. America, however, the evidence is promising and only moving forward with the program will allow us to improve it.