Pubdate: Sun, 04 Jan 2015
Source: Morning Star, The (CN BC)
Copyright: 2015 The Morning Star
Contact:  http://www.vernonmorningstar.com/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/1352
Author: Brenda DeBoice
Page: A9
Referenced: http://www.mapinc.org/drugnews/v14/n919/a07.html?1210

MP COLUMN

Regarding the Dec. 10 column by MP Colin Mayes, Drug use a concern.

According to Mr. Mayes, few people are talking about substance use and
he is surprised to learn that a number of families in his riding have
to deal with raising their grandchildren because their parents are
addicted to drugs.

He shares that a nurse told him that 70 per cent of emergency room
cases are related to substance use, and he reports that marijuana has
been proven to cause schizophrenia.

Mr. Mayes, where have you been through your four terms of office?
Everyone has been talking about substance use. How could you not know
that?

The many social agencies in your own riding are overwhelmed by it, and
constantly communicating with all levels of government to help. It is
talked about in the media, it is seen in the back alleys (and
everywhere else), it is dealt with daily by police, paramedics, social
workers and other professionals. But, luckily, you actually listened
to that nurse in emergency so you do know how it affects our hospitals.

And, you had better sit down for this shocker. Many grandparents in
your very own riding, Mr. Mayes, are addicted themselves so cannot
help their addicted children to look after their grandchildren. Social
agencies struggle to help these families, so that their children will
at least have some chance at a healthy life, and not be the next
damaged generation.

As far as your statement that marijuana use causes schizophrenia, that
has not been proven. Yes, many drugs can cause psychosis, but there is
a genetic component to schizophrenia as well. There are ongoing
studies around this, but there is no conclusive evidence yet to
support this theory.

Of course, there is lots of information on the Internet to pull from,
if you want to make it political though.

But, as an elected official entrusted with important policy creation
and decision-making, is that where you should be getting your
information?

How about focusing on facts, so more time is not wasted. Does Canada
not have many high-level government and professional agencies that can
give you the correct information on all these topics? Maybe look them
up before you leave office.

In the meantime, here is a bit of reliable information to help you
out.

Since the drug experimentation of the 1960s and 1970s, and since the
traumatic incarceration of a whole generation of First Nations into
residential schools until the 1990s, we have had serious substance
addiction issues in this country. Because trauma, abuse, and a lack of
healthy coping skills being passed generationally, are exacerbated by
poverty, result in mental health issues, addiction, and
hopelessness.

There are First Nations communities in this country, where anyone,
grandparents to pre-teens, may be suffering with addiction and where
abuse and violence are rampant.

There are currently not nearly enough resources available to social
agencies to support these communities, or those individuals in your
own community, to address this overwhelming issue.

Yes, the Conservative government has funded drug enforcement. But much
of that is a waste as the demand for drugs has not gone away.

Why are so many people needing to be high, and how can we change that?
Remember, trauma, abuse, poverty? Think about it. You still have a bit
of time left, right?

Brenda DeBoice

Vernon
- ---
MAP posted-by: Matt