Neudorf wants approach that is multi-faceted
Some problems are inherited, some are developed. But if the city is to emerge from its current drug crisis, it will take a multi-faceted approach.
“The important starting point is that focus on moving from harm reduction to a recovery,” said Nathan Neudorf, Lethbridge East MLA, in a recent wide-ranging interview with The Herald.
“That changes the discussion. Our government wants to ensure Lethbridge, and every area that has a consumption site, that this is a very serious issue and we want to take the time to understand all the social impacts, all the economic impacts, and take the time to hear as many stakeholders’ viewpoints as possible so we actually come up with an effective solution,” he continued.
“That’s the key. We can throw money at it, but if we don’t have a solution in mind and a target then all we’re doing is treading water. We need to move ahead on that and that may take some time with the change in government. We just don’t want a knee-jerk reaction.”
Neudorf said he has had multiple meetings and local visits with Jason Luan, the government’s associate minister of Mental Health and Addictions. He says they are very much aware of the issues happening in the city.
“One of the things he said, of all the sites he’s visited in Alberta, how we are running the actual internal operations of the (supervised consumption) site is actually one of the best he’s seen in the province,” Neudorf said.
“Then he indicated that the direction that the government is looking at at this point in time is a recovery-focused system.
“Whereas I think it’s fairly clear to say the initial setup and impetus was harm reduction. So that’s compassionate in its mandate, but we’ve also seen that there’s elements that were overlooked or missed or consequences that we now face that are drastically more significant than what was predicted,” he continued.
“In that recovery-focused system, you’re changing that discussion to some of those other pillars such as prevention. How do we look at that without being discriminating?
“How do we look at treatment? Because really the ultimate goal is not for a single user to have multiple responses. The end result needs to be treatment that gets them detoxed and then on to a sustainable life pattern without drugs.”
Neudorf is aware of criticism regarding the review on the previous government’s announcements in relation to the drug crisis, including $11 million for supportive housing.
“This may be rare, but this is one item where (Lethbridge West MLA) Shannon Phillips and myself do agree. We both agree that’s a significant part of the solution for Lethbridge,” he said.
“In the essence of the public good and what’s good for Lethbridge and residents across the board, when we can agree on that I think that’s a very positive step. Now we have to fit that element in the bigger picture in the entire budget review. What may work in Edmonton or Lloydminster may not necessarily be the key thing in Lethbridge,” Neudorf continued.
“It takes time and though it may frustrate people, I’m hoping that as the facts come to light like that, they realize it’s not just one piece. There is detox, there is supportive housing, there is the justice system, there is the health system.”
Neudorf was asked for a final thought on the drug crisis. His response: “We’re talking about real humans, both on the side of the people that work at the consumption site, the people that use the consumption site and the businesses and community around it,” he said.
“Any simple solution is not likely to address all of those areas. I do like the trend and direction the minister has started to say on recovery, on a continuum of care, on detox and treatment, on supporting and strengthening our judicial system to support the police, to understand the impacts on our health-care professionals from EMS to emergency to detox to make sure that we’re addressing all of those levels. If we don’t change that Petri dish of factors, we’re not going to have a different result.”
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