Debbie Tablotney

“What these guys [at DULF] were doing was trying to save lives and it appears to have had that benefit,” said Thomas Kerr, professor + head of the division of social medicine in the dept of medicine at UBC & director of research at BCCSU thetyee.ca/News/2024/03/0…

It’s painful to hear about anyone dying from poisoned fentanyl, but especially a 15-year-old 💔 These deaths are preventable. We have the tools. INVOLUNTARY CARE ISN’T ONE OF THEM. Study after study shows coercive treatment for substance use is NOT EFFECTIVE, can cause additional harm to people who use drugs (including death), is discriminatorily applied to vulnerable groups, and can cause people to disconnect from health services due to fear and lack of trust. While it seems like a tidy solution to cart your teen away against their will for treatment, IT DOESN’T WORK. Under the Mental Health Act, involuntary care is a last resort for people who need psychiatric care, not solely for addictions treatment. Here’s how we can help teens struggling with Opioid Use Disorder: 1. Provide alternatives to the illicit drug supply which is loaded with poisoned fentanyl. 2. Improve the system of VOLUNTARY treatment programs. Scale them up, make them low-barrier and faster to access. 3. Make sure kids WHO WANT TREATMENT aren’t getting kicked out because they slipped and used drugs while in the program. Last week I posted about my friend Jeremy who was kicked out of treatment for using drugs, and wasn't allowed back for 30 days even though he WANTED to be there. He wanted to recover. He died from poisoned fentanyl soon after. He was 17 😢 I agree, let’s protect our kids. Let’s do it now. Let’s do it with strategies that work instead of promoting “tough love” tactics that have been proven time and again NOT TO WORK. #ToxicDrugCrisis #HarmReduction #SaferSupply #BCpoli

I grew up in the ‘80s - during the "tough love" era for handling kids and their issues. It didn’t work, obviously. Instead it deepened my anxiety, depression and self-hatred. My real “tough love moment" was the day I was made a ward of the court at 14 years old, and given a one-year juvenile detention sentence. That was my first step through a revolving door of foster care, jail camps, probation, remand centers, and homelessness. The pattern continued into my adult life, as I struggled with drug use for decades. Tough love doesn’t work. Ask any of the thousands (millions?) of kids and parents whose lives and relationships fell apart because of its painfully inflexible approach. Lucky for me, when I turned to the streets and drug use to self-medicate my hurt, it was only heroin & cocaine I was turning to … which are relatively benign compared to street drugs now. Kids using illegal drugs today are dealing with an unknown, dangerous, and extremely addictive mix of fentanyl, benzos, animal tranquilizers and more. “Rock bottom” is no longer the place you start climbing back up from. These days, “rock bottom” is death. #ToxicDrugCrisis #ToughLove #HarmReduction #BCpoli

We need to see our political leaders stand with us as well, with a clear, cross-party show of unity for LGBTQ2S+ community members and inclusive schools. 4/5

Homophobia and transphobia have no place in our communities. Marches, online attacks, regressive political movements, and other campaigns of hate and disinformation are threatening the rights and well-being of our LGBTQ2S+ community members. 1/5 bctf.ca/news-and-oppor… #bcpoli

Thank you Guy! Communities need harm reduction. It is not just a downtown eastside problem. #endoverdose

To anyone who doubts supervised consumption sites! @InsiteVan empact: Total visits: 4,602,125 Total injection visits: 2,924,473 Overdoses reversed: 11, 856 Referrals to off site services that includes recovery treatment: 71,103 thetyee.ca/News/2023/09/1…

I am presenting to @VANDUpeople board on emergency measures we need to take in response to the growing right wing backlash to harm reduction and moral panic on safe supply that threatens to wipe out 25 years of struggle

Moms Stop the Harm member remembers victims of the overdose crisis msn.com/en-ca/news/can…

Venue Change meeting at the Library & Cultural Center Plaza on Minoru in Rmd. APRIL 14, 11:30AM-Purple bows & photos of loved ones who have died due to toxic drugs will be tied to landmarks to signify the 2272 people in BC lost in this health crisis. @momsstoptheharm

Most people who die from toxic drugs use alone. Stigma prevents people from reaching out. Download the Lifeguard app to stay safer. Visit ow.ly/LBfW50NxUss to learn more. #stopoverdose

Drag performers are skilled artists & they contribute so much to our cultural landscape. The violence, hate & intimidation they have faced in #BC & around the world is unacceptable. We must support the drag community & help dispel unfounded fears about drag. @SChandraHerbert

APRIL 14, 11:30AM-Purple bows and photos of loved ones who have died due to toxic drugs will be tied to landmarks. Richmond City Hall (6911 No. 3 Road) to signify the 2272 people in B.C. who died due to the toxic drug epidemic. LOCATION: Rmd. City Hall, 6199 No. 3 Road

On April 14th 11:30 Our Family and friends will meet at Richmond City Hall to tie purple ribbons to recognize the ongoing overdose crisis! Come and join us. #momsstoptheharm @momsstoptheharm

Thank you for this Maria, we share our heartbreak!

If someone is addicted they are going to use. I would rather they could access and seek treatment than dying from the toxic drugs on the street. #safesupply #momsstoptheharm #endtheoverdosecrisis

Last years sad event! So many deaths since. Much more needs to be done. #momsstoptheharm

Lost my son in December! How many more young people need to die before action is taken?

@HaneyInkslinger @CBCStephenQuinn Yup!

@CBCStephenQuinn Every broadcaster tomorrow.