Arlene Last-Kolb, who lost her son Jesse to an overdose 10 years ago, is deeply affected by the growing number of drug-related deaths. With preliminary numbers showing 445 drug-related deaths in Manitoba in 2023 compared to 418 the previous year, Last-Kolb emphasizes the devastating impact on families. She believes these deaths will forever change those left behind. Addictions minister Bernadette Smith acknowledges the increase and states that the government is focused on harm reduction efforts, including the establishment of supervised consumption sites and the distribution of drug testing machines.
Advocates like Marion Willis, founder of St. Boniface Street Links, call for a more aggressive approach to address the rising number of drug-related deaths. Willis emphasizes the need for a comprehensive plan involving multiple government departments and front-line workers to address the interconnected crises of mental health, addictions, homelessness, and youth violence. Last-Kolb echoes this sentiment, emphasizing the importance of a holistic approach that goes beyond harm reduction. She stresses the need for a focus on safe supply to prevent further tragedies like the loss of her son.
Last-Kolb emphasizes the urgent need to keep vulnerable individuals alive, suggesting that a state of emergency should be declared to address the crisis. She questions how many lives society is willing to sacrifice and deems the current situation as unacceptable. Last-Kolb reflects on the dreams and hopes her son had before his untimely death, highlighting the profound impact that losing a loved one to drugs has on families. She acknowledges the difficulty of advocating for change after experiencing such a loss but stresses the importance of continued fight against drug-related deaths.
As the government works on harm reduction initiatives and prepares to release more details in the upcoming budget, advocates like Last-Kolb and Willis push for a more collaborative and comprehensive approach to addressing the root causes of the addiction crisis. They stress the need for intervention at multiple levels of government to tackle the interconnected issues contributing to drug-related deaths. Last-Kolb urges parents to consider the risk of unsafe drug use among their children, emphasizing the importance of advocating for safe supply measures to prevent further tragedies.
The heartbreaking loss experienced by Last-Kolb serves as a driving force behind her advocacy efforts to prevent other families from enduring similar pain. She reiterates the need for a multifaceted approach that addresses the broader societal issues contributing to addiction and overdose deaths. By calling for a state of emergency and demanding more proactive measures, Last-Kolb hopes to prevent more families from experiencing the devastation caused by drug-related deaths. With collaboration and commitment from all levels of government and front-line organizations, advocates strive to create a more effective and compassionate response to the addiction crisis.
