Today (Jan. 24), MP Gord Johns made an appearance at the unsanctioned overdose prevention site (OPS) at the North Island Hospital Comox Valley in Courtenay to commend the groups on their activity and raise awareness for the cause.
Johns stated he was behind them in their fight for OPSB次元官网网址檚 in the community.
The unsanctioned OPS has been up since Monday (Jan. 20), by the Doctors for Safer Drug Policy and Moms Stop the Harm groups. They have spent the week on the outskirts of the hospital grounds, with a tent and signs promoting their cause.
While speaking with Dr. Eva Hemmerich, an addiction and family medicine physician in the Valley and one of the doctors leading the charge for the unsanctioned OPS at the hospital. Johns voiced his support.
B次元官网网址淵ou donB次元官网网址檛 need to convince me, there is no one else in Canada, in Ottawa, speaking more about this issue than me. IB次元官网网址檓 on board,B次元官网网址� said Johns.
Hemmerich and Johns engaged in a lengthy discussion about harm reduction, safe supply, OPS and treatment options available.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 critical to save lives, stop the spread of disease and support a true health response to a health crisis. Every political party says there is something that is a health crisis but they don't really see [this] as a health crisis,B次元官网网址� said Johns.
Though Johns stated that he is a federal representative and healthcare is provincially run, he continued to express his support for OPSB次元官网网址檚 and how he spoke in Ottawa about the harm reduction that benefits all Canadians.
B次元官网网址淚 feel it and I have a family member who is struggling, so itB次元官网网址檚 not far from me at all. Most people, 80 per cent of people are dying at home,B次元官网网址� stated Johns.
With that sentiment, Johns thanked Hemmerich and Doctors for Safer Drug Policy and Moms Stop the Harm groups for their dedication to the cause and for their demonstration outside of the Comox Valley Hospital.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 really impressed with what youB次元官网网址檙e doing. Having these supports are critical,B次元官网网址� said Johns.
Hemmerich told Johns about those she has helped through her practice and how hopeful she is for future success with the potential of OPS opening in the Valley.
B次元官网网址淚tB次元官网网址檚 so rewarding to be part of peopleB次元官网网址檚 journey and you develop close relationships. You are on their team and itB次元官网网址檚 actually very positive. We see a lot of people in recovery,B次元官网网址� shared Hemmerich. B次元官网网址淲e have now had 30 people, we counted, that were connected to the downtown area near city hall where people are living. They used to be there and now they are functioning members of society. ItB次元官网网址檚 very cool.B次元官网网址�
Over the past week, Hemmerich estimates they have helped over a couple of dozen people, with resources, harm reduction and information.
B次元官网网址淧eople who are coming here for information, sharing brief stories of having lost their children or loved ones and supporting them and connecting our sources as well with other people. We had a group of nursing students come by with their instructor,B次元官网网址� said Hemmerich.
While they have been able to connect with many people over the past week, some people within the healthcare arena have been discouraged from engaging with the groups and their demonstrations.
B次元官网网址淔rom my account, this is really unfortunate but some have come anyway, just on their off hours,B次元官网网址� shared Hemmerich.
The afternoon was filled with honks from passing by cars which showed that the group was getting their message across.
B次元官网网址淭heyB次元官网网址檙e not valuing peopleB次元官网网址檚 livesB次元官网网址� they have the misunderstanding that they think people have chosen this lifestyle, that they can just quit and make it happen and that it could never happen to them," said Hemmerich.
