Dear Ms. Aglukkaq:
I was quite shocked and dismayed at your comments in the House today regarding the users of the Insite program. As an educator I have spent my working career educating people about mental health problems. Those working in the field of health and medicine recognize addictions to be a serious disease process with multiple complex causes including neurological impairment, abuse, severe loss, and other serious mental health problems. Treatment for addictions requires a variety of measures, including harm reduction strategies like needle exchanges and drug injection sites.
What disturbed me most by your comment, however, was the fact that you found it acceptable to call people with this chronic disease, “drug addicts”. These people are people first, they are not the disease through which they struggle. Your comments are as archaic as referring to people with physical disabilities as “cripples”. The use of such labels only create further opportunities to marginalize people, and is not reflective of the Canada in which I live.
Barry Cull, M.A, C. Psych. Associate
Professor of Psychology
—————————————————————————————————————————————-
If you are also offending by the Minister’s comments, please write to her at:
The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, P.C., M.P.
Health Canada
Brooke Claxton Building, Tunney’s Pasture
Postal Locator: 0906C
Ottawa, Ontario K1A 0K9
or click here