Addictions workers should be regulated

Re: Opioids, counterfeit pills and the message kids and adults need to hear, Feb. 21.

I couldn’t stay silent anymore. The addictions industry is in a state of crisis, and our children are dying because of it.

Did you know that in Canada, there are zero regulations for the addictions counsellors to whom we are entrusting our children and families? Anyone can be an addiction counsellor in Ontario: no training, no experience, no oversight and no rules to follow. To make matters even more dire, there are no regulations surrounding the private rehab facilities we send our children to. Anyone can open a rehab facility; anyone can be an addiction counsellor.

Once someone determines they are ready to get help, making them wait has negative consequences. Forcing them into treatment with people who are not properly trained is deadly.

I have been spending the last few years screaming at the top of my lungs that something has to change, but unfortunately our provincial government has not acted.

The government needs to immediately regulate this industry. Regulation will help stabilize rates so that parents don’t have to pay out of pocket the average $25,000 a month for private rehab given by unregulated counsellors. The government needs to immediately ensure the safety of the public by ensuring that trained staff are handling this incredibly complex human issue.

Ontario Health Minister Eric Hoskins has said these facilities operate outside the ministry’s jurisdiction. If the minister of health says that addictions are outside of his jurisdiction because he does not regulate them, how will we ever get on top of this crisis? The ministry must immediately take steps to ensure that those suffering can get the help they need by educated, trained, licensed and safe addiction counsellors and facilities. Putting our children’s lives in the hands of anything less is murder. Crystal Smalldon, RSSW, CCAC, Executive Director, Canadian Addiction Counsellors Certification Federation