YOUR PERSPECTIVE: Stopping the Carnage: the story of one B.C. organization that did

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I lost my own daughter when she was just 21-an indescribable heartache. Every week I read and sometimes weep over the stories on new applications. Much loved sons and daughters, partners, and parents are still dying every day from toxic street drugs. MSTH supports DULF.

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In August of 2021, we stood with DULF outside of Minister of Health’s office as they announced to the media the start of their initiative to save lives. DULF announced that they had started a “compassion club.” Mr. Dejong has portrayed DULF as drug traffickers, funders of organized crime, lacking compassion, and undermining harm reduction. Apparently, Mr. De Jong states that DULF has access to $1.2 million in government funds. Mr. DeJong claims that drugs have been purchased with some of this money. These are serious concerns but could not be further from the actual reality.

So herein in the are the straight up facts. DULF has two main organizers, both bright, compassionate individuals. Since 2015, they have watched as the toxic drug supply decimated the DTES. People who live here are among the most vulnerable in the Lower Mainland and have been hit hard with deaths due to the overdose crisis.

The government has been promising action to combat the crisis but instead the number of dead has only increased. Experts like Provincial Health Officers Dr. Bonnie Henry and her predecessor, Dr. Perry Kendall, and Lisa Lapointe, B.C.’s Chief coroner all support the provision of a safe supply. Dr. Patricia Daly, Vancouver’s Coastal Health Chief Medical Health Officer recommended safe supply and mentioned compassion clubs as one way to do this.

The BC government’s own Select Standing Committee on Health stated in recommendation 11 of their 2022 report “Closing Gaps, Reducing Barriers, Expanding the Response to the Toxic Drug and Overdose Crisis”: “Fund measures to ensure a prescribed safer supply of substances is available in all areas of the province, including by: a. urgently engaging with the regulatory colleges and professional associations of physicians, nurse practitioners, nurses, and pharmacists in BC to identify and resolve barriers to prescribing and providing a prescribed safer supply of substances.”

DULF decided to obtain three drugs: heroin, cocaine, and meth to use in a pilot-program. They applied to obtain these drugs legally. This was denied so the two main organizers of DULF stuck their necks out and purchased non-toxic drugs from various sources including the dark web. 40-50 people were registered in the compassion club. DULF provided the drugs at their cost.

Money from a government grant (which was 200 000) is used for drug testing, staff, and administration not drugs. The compassion club has been operating for over a year. They have kept meticulous records and recently released a report. Incredibly, none of their clients died! Expert recommendations were correct- a safe supply of drugs did not kill the people! It is the toxic drugs purchased off the street or ordered from “dial-a-dope-dealers” that is causing the 6-7 deaths each and every day in B.C.

Can DULF activities be considered as harm reduction or harm as Mr. De Jong claims? According to B.C’s own website, Heathlink B.C. “Harm reduction includes many options and approaches. It may include abstinence, or not using substances at all. Stopping all substance use isn’t required before receiving care. It meets people wherever they are in their substance use journey.” DULF’S compassion club seems to meet this criterion.

For their courage, and because politicians like Mr. DeJong, and Ms. Sturko were attacking the current government over DULF, the two organizers were arrested. Now all their clients must again purchase drugs on the street.

B.C. United has a plan for addiction, “Better is Possible.” There are some good ideas in the document. However, they never once mention the toxic drug crisis or what they might do about what is killing people. Who would not agree with their ideas improving treatment options? However, you do have to be alive to get into any treatment centre.

Henry David Thoreau believed that it was one’s obligation to disobey laws that were unjust. People use drugs. We might wish they would not, but they do. Should this be a death sentence? Why will we continue to let those who are addicted die?

History will not look kindly on the lack of action that let thousands die nor on the politicians who decided they knew better than experts in the field of addiction and drug use and did little but pander for votes.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of Fraser Valley Today or Pattison Media.