Editor,
Open letter to Quesnel Mayor Bob Simpson
A common misunderstanding of the approach to addressing substance use is that “harm reduction has gone too far,” “undermines personal responsibility” and “has simply marginalized the majority of our citizens,” as stated in the Quesnel Council Column of July 11, 2018, “Has ‘Harm Reduction’ Gone too Far?”
Harm reduction needs to be understood as any set of policies, programs and practices intended to reduce the harms associated with problematic substance use.
Like any health issue, problematic substance use should be approached in a way that emphasizes the humanity and uniqueness of each person – taking into consideration their health, social and economic circumstance. There is an overwhelming amount of evidence that speaks to the value of a harm reduction approach to substance use.
Indeed, as early as 2005, the government of British Columbia published a community guide to harm reduction with the intent of helping municipalities take a “leadership and facilitative role in reducing the level of drug-related harm in their communities.” In keeping with evidence-based practice, the guide notes that “people with drug use problems benefit from a variety of different approaches” and “it is a choice and prompt access to a broad range of interventions that helps keep people alive and safe.” Such interventions are premised on the active involvement of the individual.
The community guide explains that appropriate harm reduction measures should address an individual’s “most pressing needs, facilitating incremental gains that can be built over time.”
Furthermore, the guide reminds us that “people who use drugs are not expendable – they are human beings who come from families who love them. They are someone’s son, daughter, brother, sister or parent.” In short, they are our fellow citizens.
In order for change to take place, supportive and safe treatment facilities, housing, and shelters are necessary for the well-being of those citizens wanting to become healthy again – substance use is a health issue.
Let us all make sure that those who are in need of care are treated with kindness, respect and have access to the resources they need to begin to heal and become productive members of our communities.
Respectfully,
Christine Sorensen
President of the BC Nurses’ Union