Citizens can help combat opioid crisis

Re: July 18 Lethbridge Herald article: “Business in jeopardy due to drug users.”

I wish to respond to the above article in regards to the current opioid crisis that has gripped our community.

Since 2012 this crisis has been escalating at an exponential rate. No one can ignore this issue.

I am asking, “What can I do to help with this crisis because it does affect me?”

I do not have a quick solution just as the city, nor ARCHES, nor the province nor our country has an easy fix. However, without action now, it will be looked back upon as being more serious and deadly than the Black Plague.

One of the best ways that we can all be part of the solution is by educating ourselves. I thank ARCHES and SACPA and the Lethbridge Public Library for providing many education sessions to help citizens learn about opioids. I thank the City of Lethbridge for holding the recent information session.

I have come up with seven ways that I feel I can do my little part to help my Lethbridge. I refuse to say that “they” need to fix this because “they” is each of us.

Here is what I am doing. I am sure there are lots of other things that we each individually can and are doing. Let’s help Lethbridge with this crisis.

1. I continue to go downtown because I am not afraid.

2. I volunteer at the Soup Kitchen. The Soup Kitchen and Streets Alive Mission are the greatest examples of the caring community that Lethbridge is.

3. I volunteer with ARCHES with their “sweep” program.

4. I daily do a “sweep” of my neighbourhood park each morning so that our children will be safer.

5. I have the tools to safely handle drug debris: Naloxone kit, sharps container, gloves and tongs.

6. I make every effort I can to support the businesses in Lethbridge but will give preference to the downtown core. We cannot let this crisis affect their income and customer visits.

7. I smile, greet people, and attempt to engage with all people. I offer bottled water. Many people that congregate are not well. They may or may not respond to me and that is OK.

Little things sometimes can make a big difference.

Barb Phillips

Lethbridge