Gordon Clark's Feb. 6 column contains two errors: He assumes that we can 1) enforce or 2) educate our way out of this opioid crisis. Such assumptions have been made for decades and have perpetuated the opioid epidemic. The treatment recommendations being advocated today were called for in Canada in the early 1970s and again in the '90s, but were ignored. We mustn't miss another opportunity, particularly in the midst of the current crisis. Treatments we advocate now have worked in Europe and they can work in North America. We just need the will. [continues 57 words]
Re: Addiction problem requires comprehensive solution, Letter, July 29 Overdoses are managed safely and promptly at our essential Insite, but still, even from a trusted dealer, illicit drugs are often contaminated. Another option exists at Providence Crosstown Clinic. Here, patients attend up to three times daily for treatment that is safe, pharmaceutically prepared under sterile conditions, and monitored by a health-care team. They know exactly what they receive, and while at the clinic can access medical, mental health and substance use supports. [continues 92 words]
Regarding "A sober approach to legal pot" (Editorial, July 23): One significant change needs to be made in the laws regarding driving under the influence. Currently there is no threshold lower limit which would indicate that a person had pot in his bloodstream, but it did not affect his driving ability. Currently anyone found with any detectible pot in his blood stream and involved in a serious traffic accident is considered under the influence. A change needs to made to make pot laws similar to what we have regarding alcohol legal limits. Scott Macdonald, Martinez [end]
Nova Scotia isn't exactly at the forefront of the country's burgeoning medical marijuana trade. In the year and a bit since Ottawa threw open the doors to commercial pot producers, 23 companies have been licensed to produce and/or sell medical-grade marijuana, yet not one of those companies is located in the province. The bulk of licensed producers are in Ontario and British Columbia, but every other province except Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador has at least one. [continues 852 words]
Dear Editor, Re: Community Care Society strategy for freedom from drugs, Westerly News, July 3 I talked with a member of the Community Care Society a few months ago and we agreed there was a real lack of facilities for treating addiction in our community. Addiction is often associated with mental illness and the treatment for both is often similar. A lack of facilities for helping people who suffer mental illness in Ucluelet probably explains why so few are available for addiction. [continues 389 words]
