Premier Danielle Smith says her administration will review its funding agreements with the organization who distributed illicit substance how-to pamphlets to high school students in Medicine Hat. (Photo: CHAT News Today)

By Eli J. Ridder

‘Simply outrageous’: Premier blasts organization for drug use how-to pamphlets in Medicine Hat

Dec 18, 2023 | 4:43 AM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Premier Danielle Smith has blasted the organization that distributed pamphlets to Medicine Hat High School students showing how to safely prepare illicit substances for consumption.

“This is simply outrageous,” Smith said in a post to X on Saturday, December 16, 2023.

“There is no such thing as safe meth or crack use,” she wrote.

Smith added her United Conservative government would look into its financial support deals with the organization.

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“We will be reviewing funding agreements with the organization who felt it was appropriate to teach Medicine Hat teenagers how to use illicit and deadly drugs,” Smith said.

SafeLink, an organization focused on harm reduction through education and support, had the pamphlets available at its booth, part of an annual wellness fair at Medicine Hat High School on December 12.

The pamphlets included “Safer Crystal Meth Smoking“, “Safe Crack Smoking” and “Safer Snorting” — outlining ways to smoke crystal meth and crack while outlining safe supplies to use.

Less than 10 of each brochure was distributed at the event before the materials were removed within the first hour by school officials, according to SafeLink and the school principal.

A spokesperson for SafeLink told CHAT News on Saturday they were not able to comment on Smith’s post at this time.

Several parents of Hat High students were alarmed by the materials, which included instructions for how to safely prepare smoking pipes for methamphetamine consumption and listed safe supplies to use.

In a letter addressed to parents, Principal Dean Brown apologized for the pamphlets.

“To be clear, we are not okay with with content being shared in our school and are committed to doing better,” Brown wrote.

“We want to share a sincere apology with our students and families.”

SafeLink Alberta receives financial support from a variety of sources, including the provincial government through Alberta Health, according to a list of donors.

It also gets funding from the federal government, the City of Medicine Hat and other organizations.

The SafeLink Alberta Society just received $825,000 on Dec. 13 from the Alberta government to as part of an effort to address rising syphilis rates.

READ MORE: Backlash after Medicine Hat High distributes illicit substance how-to pamphlets to students

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