Old News...New Research

Recently, the Centre for Addictions Research of BC released some fresh new research on alcohol and other drug use in BC. The research is a result of the compilation of a pilot project – BC Alcohol and Other Drug Monitoring Project. It’s not so much the distinctiveness of the information or that it is so noteworthy as much as it is so unremarkable that makes it remarkable. Speak with anyone that works in the addictions field and see that the stats are old news.

For example, people in the field have known for some time that the so-called “Crystal Meth epidemic” is only another form of fear-mongering. Those interested in furthering the failed war on drugs love to make the use of any substance sound worse than it really is. Substances with as or more devastating effects on health are more commonly used in British Columbia than crystal meth. These include alcohol, cocaine, ecstasy and nicotine. In fact, higher percentages of people surveyed tried alcohol, marijuana, cocaine and ecstasy than those that tried crystal meth. Crystal meth was tried by more people than only heroin. The same goes for those with some form of dependence on the substance. Only, at that measure, crystal meth had the least proportion of people dependent than any other substance. Not what you would call epidemic proportions.

Another consideration: crystal meth is the drug of choice for young people. Again, the facts don’t mesh with with the popular mythology. It is very frightening to think that your 15 year old daughter is likely to try and become addicted to this substance. But is it really that scary to think that a 40 year old homeless guy is likely to use crystal meth? The fact is, that is who is most likely to use this drug.

Don’t get me wrong. There is no doubt that crystal meth and other illicit drugs are harmful in a variety of ways. I take issue with how they are portrayed and, by extension, how we as a society deal with the problem.

Stay tuned for my next post. I’ll talk about how we deal with the problem and the recent BC Supreme Court ruling that the Insight clinic in Vancouver is protected by the Canadian Charter of Rights.

Must Get Motivated

It is coming up to a year since I moved back to Victoria. Over this year I have changed jobs once, moved once and become involved in InnovativeCommunities.org. We have seen a growing housing boom on the south island but yet we still have hundreds of homeless people in the capital region. Our region has the first and second most expensive homes in the country - approx. $25 million each! Many more people are spending more than 30% of their income on housing.

But there are positive developments. Our Place is nearing completion of their supported housing on Johnson St.; The CRD has started a secretariat to address affordable housing and homelessness in the region just to name a couple.

I want to write more but I need input from other voices. Please leave your comments on these topics and I will try to address them on this blog.