The following is a letter to the editor from Arnold Viersen, MP Peace River – Westlock
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Dear Editor
“For nine years, Conservatives have warned that the decriminalization of hard drugs would have devastating consequences on communities and individuals who are suffering from addition. In BC, where the Prime Minister has launched his dangerous experiment, overdose deaths in British Columbia are up by 380% – claiming the lives of 2,500 British Columbians every single year.
Now even BC has admitted that Justin Trudeau’s experiment to legalize hard drugs has failed with BC Premier David Eby asking Trudeau to undue significant elements of his decriminalization program. Trudeau’s BC policy allows for opioids, cocaine, heroin and methamphetamines to be used in public spaces such as parks, public transit, hospitals and even the local Tim Hortons.
Unfortunately, Justin Trudeau will not listen to premiers and has ignored expert evidence warning this would ruin the lives of countless Canadians. As a result, 42,000 Canadians have died from drug overdoses since Trudeau formed government.
On top of this, police drug investigations are showing that that taxpayer-funded drugs are ending up in the hands of organized crime. They are then sold to teenagers across the country, leading our youth into the destructive cycle of addiction. In fact, more than 1 in 4 deaths among young people in Canada were opioid-related in 2021 and drug overdose is now the number one cause of death for kids aged 10 to 17 years old in B.C.
This needs to end before the Trudeau Liberals expand this deadly policy across Canada.
A Common Sense Conservative government will ban hard drugs and stop taxpayer-funded drugs.
We will restore hope for our most vulnerable by investing in recovery and rehabilitation.”
-Arnold Viersen, MP Peace River – Westlock
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EDITOR’S NOTE: The views expressed above are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of XM105fm or Pattison Media. XM105fm reserves the right to edit submissions for length. Column suggestions and letters to the editor can be sent to news@XM105fm.com.