This federal election would have been the first one in which Archie MacIsaac-Vacon would cast his vote. Instead, on June 29, at the age of 19, his well-lived life was cut short by fentanyl. Archie’s death is one of the 12 deaths a day Canadians are experiencing from unintentional overdose.
It does not need to continue this way. In this federal election, candidates must tell the voters what they will do to end this Toxic Drug Crisis. Here are key activities federal election candidates can commit to that could save the lives of people like Archie:
Massively scale up overdose response capacity including distribution of naloxone and fentanyl testing devices. The time for incremental increases in capacity is over. Our family didn’t even know we could get naloxone let alone did we have it. What will the candidate do to get naloxone and fentanyl testing into people’s hands?
Increase funding to harm reduction and prevention. Criminalization of drug users means that disproportionate resources go to justice and policing rather than to activities that reduce harm, public health initiatives and services for people who use drugs and their families. Will the candidate redistribute funding that targets drugs and their use so that enforcement is not getting most of it?
Decriminalize drug users. Overdose usually happens to people when they are alone. People feel they need to hide since what they are doing is illegal. Will the candidate discuss drug decriminalization to stop this crisis?
Make a safer drug supply. Drug prohibition is not working. It’s not keeping us safer; it’s encouraging a flourishing illicit trade in tainted drugs. Take drugs out of the hands of clandestine labs and internet drug deals. Will the candidate consider expert advice on legalization and regulation of drugs in Canada?
Archie MV 