Activists concerned about safe consumption site review after minister’s tweet

CALGARY (660 NEWS) — A now-deleted tweet from an Alberta Government minister is causing concern among activists about the future of safe consumption sites.

Associate Minister for Mental Health and Addictions Jason Luan, in response to a tweet from Medicine Hat activist and member of Moms Stop the Harm Petra Schulz, suggested that research showing the sites are effective at combating the opioid crisis is “funded by the multi-billion Pharma industry”.

The tweet was sent on Tuesday evening but later deleted after it faced wide backlash.

“I was astounded by that statement,” said Kym Porter, also a member of Moms Stop the Harm. “There’s nothing to back up that statement.”

Other activists also tweeted in response, saying that none of their research is being funded by pharmaceutical companies and that Luan presented a “shameful position”.

It also comes as the province prepares a review into safe consumption sites, with a report expected to come sometime in the fall.

However, this tweet is now causing some concern among supporters of harm reduction strategies.

“It’s an insult to the people that have done the research and obviously he spoke out of term,” said Porter. “They’re not being upfront about what they want this review to show.”

A lengthy statement from Luan’s press secretary said the associate minister “didn’t intend to pre-judge the review” through the tweet, and “he’s committed to a robust analysis of the impacts of (supervised consumption sites) on local communities”.

The statement added the tweet was a rhetorical question, borne out of frustration about the previous government’s approach to the opioid crisis, which “seems to be drugs and more drugs.”

The press secretary also stressed there are no plans to de-fund or close any safe consumption sites, however, “we’re going to spend new money and the priority for new investment is treatment and recovery.”

Porter said this position from the government ignores the connection between harm reduction and other ways to deal with the crisis — such as more treatment centers and recovery programs.

“Definitely supervised consumptions can be a gateway to support. They’re so much more than just reversing an overdose,” she said.

The province said the planned review on the sites will be done by outside experts, and harm reduction will be a part of a “continuum of care including prevention and treatment and recovery services.”

But with results months away, Porter is worried about the consequences.

“There can be more lives lost while they’re doing this research. And it’s unnecessary.”

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