Read on Twitter
1. Today Joe in his capacity as Chair of the Board of Health joined representatives of the Federal government in Parkdale to announce a program for the safe supply of opioids. This is a great an important achievement. https://twitter.com/joe_cressy/status/1296477124476440576
2. Before the pandemic, we already had an unprecedented Public Health crisis as a result of a deadly drug supply. The pandemic has made that problem much worse. In fact, in July more people died from overdoses than COVID.
3. The struggle for a safe supply has been going on for years, but has foundered because of the stigma attached to drug use.
4. For most of my time on City Council I have chaired a task force on drugs and alcohol that includes people who use drugs, community agency reps, City staff, the police, and dedicated staff from Toronto Public Health.
5. This incredible privilege introduced me to remarkable people from across Canada whose honesty, compassion, and commitment to evidence allowed them to overcome the deep social hatred of drugs and the people who use them.
6. Today is an important milestone for all of them. There are too many people to acknowledge them all, but I want to mention Cindy Reardon. Cindy was an activist and participated for years in the struggle including being on Toronto's task force. We became friends.
7. Like far too many people I know, Cindy died before we achieved a safe supply program. If we had been braver sooner Cindy would be alive. There is much more to do. - end.
