5 YEARS - 5 PERSPECTIVES - 5TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE OVERDOSE CRISIS - PART 1 OF 5

Today is the 5th Anniversary of when the “Public Health Emergency” was declared in British Columbia for the Overdose Crisis. According to the Centre for Disease Control, toxic substances such as “Fentanyl”, a powerful synthetic opiate that is 50 to 100 times more potent than morphine, have made their way into most street drugs. The use of Fentanyl has subsequently provoked fatalities with those who suffer from Substance Dependency issues, and even more so with recreational “Weekend Warriors”. This crisis has taken thousands of loved ones from their families. Five years into the Public Health Emergency, I wanted to create awareness by sharing five different perspectives from the Frontlines of this Overdose Crisis.

The first perspective is from a colleague and friend, who has worked with Crisis Intervention for Problematic Substance Use, and concurrently Mental health and/or Trauma. She reached out to me years ago after reading my articles and watching my videos on Mental Health Awareness. I felt a strong connection with Julie Collete, almost a motherly connection. She told me that I reminded her of what her son would be like if he managed to get off the streets. We both actively attempted to help her son, but unfortunately “T” is still out there somewhere using a toxic supply, and we do not know what will happen.

It is with a heavy heart that I share Julie’s very important perspective from the frontlines of the Overdose Crisis. Julie’s perspective is not only one of a clinician, but also of a mother that is deathly afraid of losing her son at any moment, while simultaneously serving the same community, where her son lives every day like it could be his last.

"Through the Lens of a Clinician & Mother"

- Written by Julie Collette.

In the last year, with the sad momentum of the overdose crisis, I have seen an increase in substance use, in part due to COVID19 related isolation, combined with continually increasing toxicity of the substances being used.

This is not new news…

Humans who use substances, who typically have a high tolerance, are now overdosing in record numbers as what they are seeking rarely exists. Cocaine is actually Fentanyl. Benzodiazepines are Fentanyl. MDMA is no longer MDMA.

This also is not new news…

What is new, is that FIVE INDIVIDUALS were lost DAILY in January 2021 across British Columbia, from an overdose from a toxic drug supply.

What is new is that each and every individual that died was a unique human with unique talents, and was known and loved and cared for by someone, likely known, and loved and cared for by many someones.

I am a mental health and substance use clinician by trade. I write this as someone who sees the overdose epidemic through the lens of the powerful, resilient, smart, and wise clients I am so privileged to work with. But I also write this as a mom (and proud member of “Moms Stop the Harm), who has a dearly loved and cared for adult son, “T”, who is substance-using and living day to day, on the edge of life or death. Sadly, T. may become one more to add to the new statistics for next month or the month after, as he seeks a toxic supply, despite the support of so many to encourage him to once again consider that long wait for a treatment bed.

In the last year, the situation above has become even more desperate, more alarming, and even more deadly.

In the last year, clinicians, like me, are feeling overwhelmed with the high referral rates to services. Clinicians like me are tired. Clinicians like me are struggling to maintain hope in the face of so many deaths. And of equal concern to all of us are the brain-injured survivors of an overdose, of whom no one is really talking about yet...

As a Mom, in the past year, I have lost even more nights of sleep, as my thoughts race after each and every nightly news story, or worse yet, after the monthly coroner's reports about the new record of overdose deaths, in BC, and across Canada.

As a clinician, and a mom, it is clear to me that British Columbia cannot keep doing the same thing, year after year after year, and expect the outcome to be any different. We need urgent change. We need change NOW.

Drug policy’s need changing. We can do this. Decriminalization needs to happen now. Again, this is actionable, now. Safe supply also needs to happen now. Physicians need to be supported by Doctors of BC to feel confident to prescribe opiates, as required, in urban and rural settings. This role has been painfully slow and held back by stigma (in my opinion).

We know stigma prevents humans from seeking support.

The Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, for one, needs to change their title to Minister of Mental Health and Substance Use. The ministry also needs adequate funding, to make real changes happen now, and truly implement changes without seeking permission from more senior ministers.

And lastly, we need to make these changes as swiftly as we made significant changes when COVID19 was thrust upon us (including policy and funding changes). We are in a class five hurricane and it feels like BC’s politicians are holding a sun parasol to fend off the wind and rain.

On the 5th anniversary of the opioid epidemic, April 14th, 2021, BC politicians, PLEASE do MORE than honor, in warm words, those who have died. I, for one, do not want your thoughts or warm wishes. I want to see deeds. I want to see actions. I want to see CHANGE NOW.

The facts are:

2020 recorded the highest rate of deaths from illicit drug use in one year (1,716)

80% of deaths occurred inside (private residences and other facilities)

In 2020 there was a 75% jump in annual overdose deaths

Illicit drug toxicity death rates among 19+ years have remained high

#overdosecrisis #opiodcrisis #addiction #trauma #mentalhealth