I came across an article published in The Province July 8th, about InnerChange Foundation which is an organization that does research on exit strategies for drug addicts. They recently came up with a new solution following the recommendations of the Study to Assess Longer-term Opioid Medication Effectiveness (SALOME). Opioid is a chemical that can be used to stabilize drug addicts and is seens as very promising in DTES. The research has the support of John Reynolds a former Conservative MP. This is a good news since the Tories have been well known for the their hardline position and policies against drug addiction, in particular against the successful InSite program. In the article, Mr. Reynolds is quoted as saying: “It is about time that we end the stigma around addiction and start thinking about this as treatable illness instead of a moral failing.” which is aligned with our own belief and summarize the main message of this blog.
The InnerChange Foundation brings a wind of change in the city by its very nature of researching new efficient and realistic solutions (therapies, drugs) that will help drug addicts to quit. This means they have an open mind and have to face unpopular and misunderstood programs in which they give away less damaging and less addictive drugs in the hope to facilitate quitting. We think the foundation is on the right way by looking at the problem for a different perspective while educating students directly at school. The new generation will most likely have a better understanding and hopefully be touched by the misery of the dozen of people living on DTES. Prejudices are already slowly shifting towards a desire from the citizens to help and try new bold strategies that have never been used before.
BWiles
sunnyhoshingchan
changmai
mattbaril
I have often wondered if some of the more conservative individuals in our society have halted some of our more innovative solutions simply because it did not appeal to their ideals. The fact that a Conservative MP supports this program lends SALOME more credibility.
I think it’s a good point you’re bringing. We cannot simply put everybody on the same boat, but Tories do have a record of hardline policies in which quitting drugs is the only option. This is totally unrealistic. We don’t expect a smoker to quit over night, why would we with a cocaine addict? By openly denying alternative solutions to quit drugs, we endanger our society and the lives of those effected by the drug addiction disease.
We, my team and I, believe that it’s all about education; if people knew how successful the new programs are and how they transform and improve drug addicts’ life, I don’t think there would be a debate surrounding the topic.
I also totally agree with you, an endorsement by a former Conservative MP adds credibility to the cause, and let’s hope it’s the beginning towards a new position on policies and programs by the Tories.
Can you tell me more about Opioid chemical? Is it similar to Methadone, where it is synthetically made to eliminate withdrawal symptoms?
It is similar to methadone, but the good thing with opioid is that there are other drugs that can be administered while the patient is on opioid and will block the addiction effect of opioid. Basically it’s a first step towards totally quitting drugs!
I’m glad to see that more solutions are being offered to tackle one of the most difficult problems our society faces today. I am a big supporter of the InSite program, and its success is a testament to the innovative of thinking that has brought about this successful program. Even though my politically ideology is quite conservative, the one area that I have disagreed with the Tories is their staunch anti-treatment, pro enforcement drug policies. Through your research, did you manage to find out who funds the InnerChange Foundation?
Most of the donators or supporters are other non-for-profit associations in Vancouver. There are also a couple of individuals close to the issue that are actively involved in the financing. As far as I know the 3 levels of government are not involved, which makes Mr. Reynolds endorsement even more important.
I also agree that more realistic and different approaches to the drug addiction issue are required in order to tackle the complex problems of drug addiction. Criminalizing, blaming, or stigmatizing the drug addicts for not following a morally acceptable way of lives would not certainly help the drug addicts to overcome the addiction problem.
Blaming the drug addicts by constantly classifying them into the moral failure or criminal category would only aggravate and perpetuate their already difficult lives associated with drug problems.
Instead of making drug addicts go through the vicious cycle over and over again with criticism and blame, a medical intervention that could help the withdrawal symptoms would be more helpful for them to start a new life. A renewed life that will allow them to have more positive self-images and satisfaction.
You should be in our team =) Couldn’t agree more…