Poverty & Addiction
Is this the perfect storm for Atlantic Canadians?
In the face of rising living costs, the adverse effects of tariffs, the lingering COVID-19 pandemic fiscal hang over and limited opportunities in an ever-evolving economy, the Atlantic Canadian provinces are experiencing financial and mental health setbacks at a rate higher than many other Canadian provinces.
This has led to an increase in addiction rates among Atlantic Canadians, and what some are increasingly becoming addicted to may surprise you. Considering the costs associated with consumption, it came as a surprise to many that there was a marked rise in Cocaine use and subsequent cocaine related overdose and deaths in Newfoundland.
Some Newfoundlanders turned a blind eye, while others turned to their government for assistance to fight the battle against the resurgence of Cocaine use in Newfoundland. But one couple stepped up and decided to take tangible action. Enter Jeff and Tammy Bourne.
In 2011, Jeff and his wife Tammy founded the U-Turn Drop-in Centre in Carbonear, a town of approximately 5,000 on Newfoundland’s Avalon Peninsula. Initially, the centre provided services to individuals struggling with addiction. Over the years, it has grown to a staff of five, all of whom have lived experiences of addiction. Their service has supported thousands from the area and even as far as St. John’s, an hour’s drive away.
However, the U-Turn Drop-in Centre has been increasingly witnessing a significant rise in cocaine overdose-related deaths. Jeff attributes some of this to the change in the composition of the drug, its increased potency and the uncertainty of what is sold.
Because the rise in opioid-related addiction and deaths has taken centre stage here in Canada for some time, the resurgence of cocaine addiction has managed to remain largely under the radar of many in the addiction and mental health industries.
Recent data suggests that Atlantic Canadians, particularly in Newfoundland and Labrador, are being severely impacted. And herein lies the connection between financial, housing and employment security, which may be fuelling the problem.
The four Atlantic Canadian provinces have the highest poverty rates in the country. This stems from housing insecurity due to financial insecurity and a government that overlooks housing stock shortages and the influx of corporations purchasing existing properties. As a result, corporate and private landlords are increasingly evicting residents to explore commercial short-term rental options such as Airbnb and VRBO.
This perfect storm fuelled by a lack of doctors, limited options and insecure housing, creates fertile ground for mental health issues and self-medication. Anti-poverty advocates and those working with addiction and mental health have been warning government agencies about these consequences for years. Now, they face a new challenge: the rise in poly-substance use.
Traditionally, cocaine was often cut with up to 15% other substances. However, this percentage is increasing, and the resulting cocaine-ish substance use combined with other drugs, a.k.a. PolySubstance, use is linked to the surge in overdose and death in Atlantic Canada.
The combination of addictive substances, depression and alcoholism are turning our collective craft straight for the rocks and lack of awareness may well be filling full her sails.
How can we help steer our hull away from the rocks?
Here is some of what CAMH and associated initiatives are currently perusing
- Harm Reduction Initiatives: Expanding urgent care centres, increasing overnight outreach services, and supporting Indigenous-led peer support programs.
- Substance Use Network of the Atlantic Region (SUNAR) Expansion: Collaborating with CAMH to expand SUNAR, a peer-led support network across the Atlantic region.
- Public Awareness Campaigns: Running targeted campaigns like “Ease the Burden” and educating the public about drug toxicity and the risks of unregulated substances.
- Stigma Reduction Efforts: CAMH provides training for law enforcement and health professionals to reduce stigma surrounding substance use.
Monitoring and Research: CAMH tracks stimulant trends and promotes a data-driven public health approach to the drug crisis. - Support for Atlantic Canada: CAMH supports the federal government’s investment in Atlantic Canada to address overdose deaths, particularly those related to stimulants.
- The Emergency Treatment Fund (ETF) is part of the Government of Canada’s efforts to help communities rapidly respond to emerging, critical needs related to the illegal drug crisis
Is there a better way to address substance abuse than the current model?
In some countries cocaine is not an illegal but rather a controlled substance, this empowers agencies to interact, educate and monitor use and engage in education campaigns at the source. And the results are inspiring. rather than a punitive campaign that costs the citizenry money and usually results in the problems worsening the legalized or decriminalized approach focuses on treatment, and the success rates are significant.
- Effectiveness of Harm Reduction and Education: More effective, cost-efficient, and humane than incarceration in addressing substance use problems, offering better long-term health and social outcomes.
- Impact of Harm Reduction Programs: Highly effective at preventing HIV and Hepatitis C transmission, reversing overdoses, and engaging individuals in treatment.
- Limitations of Incarceration: Proven ineffective in reducing recidivism or substance use, with high rates of individuals returning to prison after incarceration.
- Post-Release Risk: Prisoners face a significantly higher risk of death, particularly from overdoses, shortly after release.
- Prison Health Risks: Drug use in prisons, often involving unsafe practices, contributes to the spread of communicable diseases.
- Effective Prevention Strategies: Multi-year, interactive school programs focusing on social competence and coping skills can effectively delay substance use initiation.
How Searidge is stepping up to support Atlantic Canadians
Searidge operates as a not-for-profit facility with a focus in behavioural changes. We not only leverage a wide variety or evidence based tools, we offer more “Alternative” healing modalities as well, we will explore and embrace what works to improve the outcomes for our residents.
However not everyone can come to a residential rehab, but we do not believe that means there should be no options for those unable for finsicial or other obligations to lack access to treatment and support,. That is why we sponsor a variety of programs that help those suffering with addiction and those who support addicted people or are otherwise are affected by addiction.
- Sponsoring weekly SMART Recovery meetings (https://smartrecoverynovascotia.org/) for those living with addiction and those in recovery
- Increased outpatient offerings, through our www.soberrecovery,org outpatient programs we are offering Atlantic Canadians access to trained working addiction treatment specialists at affordable costs
- Sponsoring weekly Friends and Family SMART Recovery online and in person meetings (https://smartrecoveryquebec.org/resources/family/)
Our article was inspired by one that was published by the Walrus. If you would like to learn more about the current crisis facing Newfoundlanders we encourage you to read their in-depth publication about the crisis and the good work being done for Newfoundlanders in the article published here >> How Cocaine Became the Leading Overdose Killer in Newfoundland <<
From the U-Turn Drop in Centre's website "Our approach to recovery is based on a peer-led recovery-focused model, the concept of fellowship and the principles of Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous. We believe by developing and maintaining strong ties with the 12-step community, our chances of a lifelong recovery increases exponentially. We are committed to our core values of Compassion, Respect, and Integrity. We practice these values every day as we engage with and support our peers in recovery."
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