British Columbia is facing a historic substance abuse epidemic. The toxic drug death crisis became a contentious issue in a recent Supreme Court case. Cheyenne Johnson, executive director of the BC Centre on Substance Use (BCCSU), brought solemn but incisive testimony. She praised the organization’s campaign to create a regulated model for the sale of pharmaceutical-grade heroin. It prioritizes the immediate goal of minimizing the lethal risks posed by toxic street drugs to the people that use them most often. Yet this group still faces enormous health obstacles.
In 2019, the BCCSU— again under Johnson’s leadership — co-authored a white paper calling for the establishment of a “heroin compassion club.” This idea came about after years of extensive research and consultation with regional, provincial and federal health authorities. The intention was to promote a safer environment for those addicted to substances, removing them from dangerous street drugs.
The BCCSU dedicated four years to consultations with health authorities across the province to turn this idea into a viable, real-life model. Johnson further emphasized that their initiative was focused on consistent dialogue with health organizations to sharpen their proposal and respond to feedback.
“I could see the mounting pressure on the province, in terms of us bringing a proposal to them at that time, when all that discourse was very, very heated,” – Cheyenne Johnson
Johnson’s testimony came as part of a constitutional challenge to Canada’s drug laws, which some argue inhibit innovative solutions to the ongoing overdose crisis. The initial project proposal was projected to cost about $13 million per year, but bring in just $4.6 million in revenue. Federal funding through Health Canada’s Substance Use and Addictions Program was deemed essential for the project’s viability.
Unfortunately, despite these encouraging projections, the reality was quite different as extensive regulatory hurdles blocked any gains. The BCCSU ran into months-long difficulties sourcing pharmaceutical grade heroin from suppliers, including a Swiss manufacturer and local sources. With leadership at the BC Centre for Disease Control, we received capacity-building advice on how to navigate these regulatory complexities.
Additionally, Eric Costen, assistant deputy minister in the Controlled Substances and Cannabis Branch, said they liked the idea of the white paper. As talks moved forward, a combination of logistics and oppositional energy turned the tide and left the project in limbo.
Additionally, health authorities are concerned about the long-term sustainability of this funding. They’re worried that the federal support might disappear in just five years. Johnson pointed to one significant struggle he encountered in negotiations with health authorities partners. It was hard to defend the expense of an $8 million program that would only serve 100 enrollees.
“It was quite difficult, in our conversations with our health authority partners, for them to justify continuing the costs of an $8-million program that serves 100 participants,” – Cheyenne Johnson
Certainly political pressures were an important factor in the project’s death. Opponents of harm reduction strategies raised alarmist arguments against spending public funds on these so-called lethal substances. Conservative MP Pierre Poilievre made headlines when he stated, “Stop using tax dollars to fund dangerous drugs under the so-called and ironically named idea of safe supply.” He further emphasized that “There is no safe supply of these drugs. They are deadly, they are lethal and they are relentlessly addictive.”
Johnson noted how this unfortunate political discourse further undermined provincial support for the heroin compassion club model. She indicated that the heated climate surrounding drug policy may have discouraged provincial leaders from endorsing new initiatives aimed at harm reduction.
“which, I think, was ultimately one factor in them not providing us with a letter of support.” – Cheyenne Johnson
As we discussed yesterday, the Supreme Court is currently deliberating on that challenge’s constitutionality. Advocates for harm reduction, who are excited to see these conversations around drug policy beginning, The BCCSU and its partners are committed to exploring alternatives. They advocate for a compassion-centered approach that prioritizes the health and safety of those currently fighting against addiction.
