In this edition of Journal, we take a closer look at the “safer supply” of drugs in British Columbia.

This refers to the distribution to drug addicts, by the health authorities, of a drug called hydromorphone, an opioid some say is as potent as heroin. The idea behind this initiative is to move individuals away from the toxic street drugs that are causing so many overdoses.

But are they safe, as we understand the word? A proposed class action lawsuit has been filed in the BC Supreme Court suggesting this terminology is negligent misrepresentation – that they are not safe for our community.

An earlier report by an American drug policy expert commissioned by Bonnie Henry, our Medical Health Officer, stated that “rampant safe supply diversion is all but inevitable.”

“Diversion” means that while these drugs are initially given to drug users in the program, they are often traded for cash or stronger drugs on the street – these “dillies” (as they are often called) end up in the hands of our young people, even in our high schools.

Police have been quoted as saying that “everyday our officers observe people openly selling these diverted safe supply medications.”

This means that these drugs are often not staying with the intended user for the intended purpose, and thus increases the potential of expanding our drug-using community rather than decreasing it.

The reporter who has meticulously been documenting these issues in the National Post is Adam Zivo, the Executive Director of the Centre for Responsible Drug Policy.

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Carole Taylor's Journal is a public affairs dialogue that digs deep into the most pressing issues of our times. For more, see our website at http://www.caroletaylorsjournal.ca.

ctj021 #drugaddiction #addiction #addictionrecovery

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In this edition of Journal, a question: Do you remember how you felt when Canada sent our first astronaut up into space? The pride? The amazement?

Did you ever wonder what it takes to be one of the chosen ones on this small team of would-be astronauts, when Canada didn’t even have a full space program?

The year was 1984 and the man was Marc Garneau, today’s guest.

His story is a remarkable tale of talent, guts, success and very hard work in a number of professions: a captain in our Navy, Canada’s first astronaut in space, President of the Canadian Space Agency and finally a turn in politics as the federal Minister of Transportation and then Foreign Affairs – and that is just a “fly-over” of his career, pun intended.

Marc has recently written a book on his adventures called “A Most Extraordinary Ride.” And indeed, it has been. He describes himself as a restless individual – a somewhat challenging young man testing all the rules.

In his career, Marc Garneau, wearing different hats, had dinner with President Ronald Reagan and Prime Minister Mulroney just before his first space flight, travelled the world trying to better understand the Middle East and the Indo-Pacific region, and then, as our Minister of Foreign Affairs, was involved in the chaotic aftermath of the US withdrawal from Afghanistan.

One of Marc Garneau’s last acts as a politician was to give a moving speech to the United Nations on Canada’s behalf, saying in part: “Space offers the unique perspective of seeing beyond one’s own national borders. In that sense, this body – the United Nations – offers that same perspective.”

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On this episode of Journal, I want to introduce you to a woman I have tremendous respect for: Krista Thompson.

For 16 years she was the President and CEO of Covenant House Vancouver, an organization supporting youth aged 16 to 24 who are experiencing homelessness, meaning they may live on the street, or in cars, or occasionally find a bed with friends but no place they call home.

Sometimes they have been kicked out of their homes; sometimes they have been forced to run away because of abuse. Covenant House is there for them, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Recently, Krista led a major fundraising effort that resulted in a new building being opened that, with extra space, allows the counsellors to look after the very unique needs of the individuals who come to their doors seeking help – and believe me, their needs are complicated, often compounded by various addictions or history of abuse.

As Covenant’s material says: “One size fits One.”

There is no single solution that will work for every young person, so all of the care and counselling is intensely personal – What do YOU need, at this moment? Food? Bed? Mental health or addiction support? Covenant House currently has 60 crisis beds to be used for those in trouble – for as long as the crisis lasts.

As a result of Krista’s remarkable success, she has been tapped by Covenant House International to help other cities achieve their best results. Currently, she is on contract as interim CEO in Houston Texas until they complete their search for a new leader.

To talk about the overall challenges facing our youth today, Krista Thompson joins me.

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Carole Taylor's Journal is a public affairs dialogue that digs deep into the most pressing issues of our times. For more, see our website at http://www.caroletaylorsjournal.ca.

ctj019 #homelessness #youthhomelessness #youth

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