GUN CRIMES
The reporting of an increase in gun-related crimes is obviously fake news. It must be because a couple of years ago, Justin Trudeau confiscated firearms in order to stop such crimes. Do you remember the big brouhaha and his insistence that was the answer? So it’s not possible that gun crimes have increased, right?
Ron Fawcett
Toronto
(Another Trudeau pronouncement that went nowhere and did little to nothing)
RIGHT COURSE ON ADDICTION
Many community members in Ontario, and beyond, are in support of a recent decision by Premier Doug Ford to close certain drug consumption sites, prioritize public safety and shift the focus of treatment for drug addiction toward recovery-oriented practices. We applaud the decision to place public safety and the fundamental rights of all children at the forefront. Although this is a major step forward in reaching better outcomes, attention is called to the harm reduction advocacy groups, not “experts,” but rather radical activists, many of whom support decriminalization and drug user liberation groups. These advocacy groups oppose the recent decision, as it does not serve their interests or their assertions that they are “saving lives.” In the absence of more precise data, we must consider that the cycle of addiction is simply not being broken, and lives saved in the moment by reversing overdoses are the same lives that tragically do go on to die alone notwithstanding the prevalence of harm reduction services. The decision to fundamentally shift the addiction strategy toward recovery-oriented programs will inevitably and most certainly work toward breaking the cycle of addiction, investing in meaningful prevention, promoting intervention, and offering a full continuum of care and social integration for those who struggle with debilitating mental illness, and subsequent homelessness. Removing the barriers to recovery through funding necessary health-care programs is long overdue. We call upon every provincial leader to make this fundamental shift and stay committed to prioritizing recovery and public safety above flawed ideology and failing policies that only perpetuate the addiction crisis and wreak havoc on communities.
Denise Boudreau
National Director, Breakpoint Communities Association
(It was the right course of action for the Ford government to take. Other jurisdictions should follow suit with a similar response)