CKPG Today

City council sends letter to the feds regarding overdose crisis

Mar 30, 2021 | 4:22 PM

Prince George – The City of Prince George has called upon the federal government for further assistance when dealing with the overdose crisis in our Province. They want to see the implementation of a National Overdose Action Plan. Petra Schulz is the co-founder of Mom’s Stop The Harm, the organization that created a petition calling for urgent action on the overdose crisis across Canada.

“B.C. is really the hardest hit province in the country and we don’t see enough action,” says Schulz.

So far this year, Prince George has lost nine people to overdoses, with the Northern Health region losing 28 so far. Prince George City Council along with Mayor Hall drafted a letter asking for the Federal Government to declare the overdose crisis a national public health emergency.

“When we take a look at what’s happening specifically in the Northern Health authority region. You know I’ve got some real concerns obviously,” said Mayor Hall. “We have been working hard to try and figure out a way to both come to a municipal, provincial, federal program if you will, that will deal with the opioid crisis.”

Moms Stop the Harm, Prince George and many other municipalities across the country are asking the federal Government this:

Be it resolved that the Government of Canada declare the overdose crisis a national public health emergency so that it is taken seriously and funded appropriately.

Be it also resolved that the Government of Canada immediately seek input from the people most affected by this crisis and meet with provinces and territories to develop a comprehensive, pan-Canadian overdose action plan, which includes comprehensive supports and full consideration of reforms that other countries have used to significantly reduce drug-related fatalities and stigma, such as legal regulation of illicit drugs to ensure safe supply of pharmaceutical alternatives to toxic street drugs, and decriminalization for personal use.

Schulz says, if we can work together on one pandemic, we are capable of anything. “If we were to invest attention and resources in the overdose crisis, the way we do with COVID-19 we could save a lot of lives. And declaring a health emergency can do that.” So far 28 municipalities have joined forces with moms to stop the harm, including Prince George. For more information or to sign the petition, go to momstoptheharm.com