Group suggests different approach to deal with B.C.’s overdose crisis

A Vernon group is using the sixth anniversary of B.C.’s drug overdose crisis to make the case that there are other options to deal with the emergency.

The Emily Dahl Foundation is concerned about the recent media coverage showing “black balloons, angry faces and drug kits,” in relation to the grim milestone.

“Come on guys. This is just terrible messaging,” said Sherman Dahl from the foundation. “It may be getting people reading these things — good for the media guys — but would you please consider how sad and negative this all is for the average person.”

Dahl encourages the province to instead get to the root of the problem

“If we do not get to the root of the problem, all the detox centres on the planet will not work. More treatment beds and other short-term strategies will not solve the real issues,” said Dahl.

Dahl maintains the goal should be to find real solutions to the problem of negative emotions, which is what is leading to all kinds of suffering.

“When considering the opioid crisis, and suffering in general, why not discuss the question of happiness and a stress-free life?,” Dahl suggested. “Every being that experiences pleasure or pain has a desire to be happy.”

The foundation leader said people’s brains sometimes create trouble for “having too much expectation about the future, or thinking too much about the past” which he says can create stress and anxiety.

“Why not focus on the fact our basic human nature is compassionate and warm-hearted because that’s the way our lives begin?” said Dahl, a business person who is president of the Dahl Group of Companies. “Without love and affection, we would not have survived. Therefore, we need to combine our natural intelligence with warm-heartedness. Warm-heartedness brings inner strength and self-confidence, it enables us to be honest and truthful so our conduct is transparent, which attracts trust and friendship.”

For more on the foundation, click here.

Interior Health said six years into the overdose public health emergency, close to 1,500 people have been lost to overdose within the Interior Health (IH) region. In recognition of the anniversary, IH mental health and substance use teams and community partners displayed black balloons on Thursday.

IH president and CEO Susan Brown says they continue to expand harm reduction measures and invest in mental health and substance use services.

“We know the steps taken over the last six years, such as distribution of Take Home Naloxone kits, introduction of drug-checking services, opening new supervised consumption services and expanding substance use treatment, have saved countless lives. Unfortunately, the crisis continues in the face of an increasingly unpredictable, poisonous drug supply. We never lose sight of the lives lost and continue to work hard to expand access to harm reduction and treatment,” said Brown.