The overdose crisis remains an “ongoing, serious problem” throughout Canada
Content Warning: The following story discusses opioid addiction and overdose. The CHIMO helpline is available 24/7 at 1-800-667-5005.
If you suspect that you or someone else has overdosed, call 911 immediately.
Donald MacPherson is the director of the Canadian Drug Policy Coalition at Simon Fraser University in British Columbia.
In MacPherson’s words, the Canadian Drug Policy Coalition (CDPC) is “a national coalition of organizations and individuals working to improve Canada’s approach to drugs.”
The CDPC is participating in a regional community dialogue project across the country called “Getting to Tomorrow.”
Avenue B Harm Reduction, Ensemble Moncton, and AIDS New Brunswick are participating in the “Getting to Tomorrow” project, which took place Tuesday (November 17) and today (November 19).
Donald MacPherson: It’s called “Getting to Tomorrow: Ending the Overdose Crisis.” It’s responding to the crisis that started four or five years ago in various parts of the country. BC, Alberta, Ontario… now more parts of the country as the overdose crisis has expanded. It really is trying to note the urgency of the situation for people who are using drugs and accessing the illegal market, which is deadly toxic, since four or five years now. It’s also about getting to tomorrow getting to a new vision for an approach to drugs in Canada. Our approach is based on laws and policies that were developed in the early 1900s that stigmatize, criminalize, marginalize, and punish people who use substances.… Continue