Southern Alberta MP co-chairing opioid crisis working group

Barlow says he does not yet know how we get to the point where drug usage and the negative consequences of it are resolved, but that is the point of this group.

He told LNN he knows that conservatives sometimes get a “bad rep” for lacking compassion when it comes to issues like mental health and addictions, but his aim is “to look at the crisis holistically and with compassion.”

“We’re really trying to think outside the box here and not have any preconceived notions of what works and what doesn’t. We’ve gone and had meetings with folks from Los Angeles to Rhode Island in the United States and, certainly, from Victoria to Fredericton in Canada, trying to see what programs have worked, use best practices, and try and use that template to build something here as well.”

Barlow believes substance addiction has been a problem in Alberta for quite some time now, but the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated it.

The provincial Opioid Response Surveillance Report shows that apparent unintentional opioid poisoning deaths in Alberta more than doubled from 148 in the first quarter of 2020 to 301 by the following three months.

As well, the Canadian Mental Health Association reported that 40 per cent of Canadians have experienced a decline in their mental health since March 2020, when COVID-19 was first declared a pandemic in Canada and the first round of public health restrictions was enacted.

If you have any input as to how Canada can address the opioid crisis, Barlow says to reach out to his office or the office of your local MP.

Some resources you can utilize if you need help include:

Addiction and Mental Health Helpline:
- 1-866-332-2322
- Online here
Canada Suicide Prevention Service:
- Phone 1-833-456-4566
- Text 45645 (Text, 4 p.m. to midnight ET only)
- CrisisServicesCanada.ca
Kids Help Phone:
- 1-800-668-6868
- KidsHelpPhone.ca

by David Opinko

Southern Alberta MP co-chairing opioid crisis working group

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