Treat overdose crisis with same care as virus

I am writing to express my compliments to the B.C. government and workers in the way they have been dealing with the pandemic crisis. They have been an example for other jurisdictions as to how to approach a difficult issue with a multi-pronged strategy that includes prevention, early intervention, treatment and follow-up support.

This is why the lack of a similar strategy in the overdose crisis, which has caused more deaths, is surprising. As the former minister responsible for mental health and addictions, I was able to implement such a strategy in Manitoba. One important component was prevention.

Manitoba searched the world for best practices, and chose to use the services of the Paxis Institute. Teachers used techniques in the classrooms to teach self-control vs. external control, delay of gratification and the ability to make good decisions. This then led to huge decreases in addiction, better mental-health outcomes, fewer early teen pregnancy and better school completion.

We cannot treat ourselves out of the overdose crises. We need to focus on the big picture, just as this government has on the pandemic crisis.

The government has shown it knows how to deal with a complex crisis in a strategic way. It now has to look at our overdose crisis: This would be true leadership. I am available to discuss my learnings and share best practices from other jurisdictions

Jim Rondeau Retired Manitoba minister responsible for mental health and addictions Saanichton