Mobile overdose prevention site -- LNN

By Jerran Fisher

Rallies being held for “Albertans Dying for Access”

Feb 23, 2022 | 4:04 PM

Lethbridge, AB – Rallies and vigils are being held in Edmonton, Calgary, and Lethbridge Wednesday (February 23) to remember those who have died from drug overdose, and call for government action.

Albertans for Ethical Drug Policy is calling on the Government of Alberta to make a number of policy changes including the expansion of supervised consumption sites, and reopening closed sites.

Petra Schulz, from Moms Stop the Harm (MSTH) said, “The people we love are literally dying for access, to harm reduction, safe supply, and even the 8000 treatment spaces that are much-touted by the government seem to be elusive for families seeking care for loved ones.”

“Meanwhile, more than four Albertans are dying a preventable death every day due to highly toxic drugs. We know that the solutions are and we demand immediate government action, to save the lives of the people we love.”

Albertans for Ethical Drug Policy says the Alberta Government keeps failing to deliver promises of new detox treatment and addiction recovery services while existing services are unable to adjust to the increasing crisis.

Meaningful Mementos

Remembering Someone You've Lost at Christmas

Dec 03, 2024

Seasonal Sorrow

How Do You Get Through The Holidays When You're Grieving?

Nov 01, 2024

Upcoming Events at Oliver's

Grief & Loss and Estate Planning Seminars

Oct 02, 2024

Over 1,000 Albertans died due to drug poisoning as of August of 2021.

“Families wait weeks and months for loved ones to access services that often do not fit their needs,” the release reads.

Lori Hatfield from MSTH says the government declared they were breaking ground for a new treatment facility in the fall, but hasn’t seen progress on the project. “I was there [the treatment facility] in November and or January and there was a sign out there… And then I drove by this week to take a picture of the sign, and they’ve actually changed the sign now.”

Albertans for Ethical Drug Policy is asking for the government to change required regulations for those entering safe consumption sites.

Currently, to enter a safe consumption site a person needs to provide their Alberta Healthcare card, Hatfield says this shouldn’t be necessary.

“That there is so much stigma regarding drug use that people don’t want to give out their personal information”

Hatfield says safe consumption sites are to prevent overdoses, so there is no need to know people’s healthcare numbers.

“If somebody is at that point where they want help, then they’ll jump through those hoops and they’ll initiate getting their personal healthcare number. But at the time, when they just need to be safe so that they don’t die. These are barriers that are being put up there.”

A candlelight vigil is being held today at the Galt Gardens at 7:00 P.M. and is encouraging attendees to bring photos of loved ones lost due to drug overdose.