The last time we checked, every day in this province meant four more deaths caused by Opioid overdoses. That number is constantly increasing, and from our perspective, here at the Orchard Recovery Center, watching the crisis unfold is becoming absolutely mind-numbing.
There are a multitude of “solutions” to this problem and there are many agencies doing really good work to save lives, but there are some major gaps that need to be addressed. The young people of this province are falling through the cracks, and young women under the age of 18 who are struggling with addiction have literally no-where to turn.
Many of the services that do exist to serve people struggling with addiction are found in the Downtown Eastside. These are mostly inaccessible to suburban youth – at least until they are in really, serious trouble.
Whoever takes power in Victoria needs to recognize that addiction does not discriminate, that it can touch any family. Young people today, more so than in previous generations, face enormous pressures that lead to hopelessness, anxiety, depression and often drug-use. We need to give them hope, and we need to give them options. Recovery is possible and we need to do more to make it accessible.
Lorinda Strang is the Executive Director of the Orchard. Quintin Anthony is the Director of Continuing Care.
