News of the huge drugs and weapons seizure by police on the long weekend in Crofton and Chemainus is alarming.
It’s a stark reminder that our tiny communities are not immune from the current Opioid crisis. It may seem like this is something happening only in larger centres, but that’s simply not the case.
In fact, there have been several overdoses in both towns this year. The sad fact is there are always people seeking to capitalize on the addicted, be it Fentanyl or some other drug, with designs on making large sums of money.
Credit to North Cowichan/Duncan RCMP for its diligence in dealing with this epidemic. We don’t always hear about the work police are doing, but when their investigation reaches the stage of executing search warrants, you know they’ve done extensive homework.
Keeping the public safe when numerous high-powered weapons are involved is also something police don’t take lightly before they make their move on suspects. It’s not an easy job, but police are intent on putting a stop to these illegal activities.
As for those hooked on the drugs, more needs to be done to help them, but there’s really only one answer. In order to be completely safe, users need to get off drugs entirely. We need heavily-funded programs to rehabilitate drug users. Injection sites aren’t going to do it. That’s like serving alcohol at an AA meeting. It only masks the real problem.
It’s become so ridiculous Island Health has issued a public service announcement with five tips for safer drug use at festivals this summer. How about no drug use at all?
That’s the only way those seriously addicted are going to survive in the long run and to shut down these criminals who want to take advantage of them.