The opioid crisis hits close to home in Lethbridge.
According to the City of Lethbridge, we have the third highest death rate in Alberta related to opioids.
Seven students at Lethbridge College gave their opinions on the safe consumption site, the needle pick-up and pharmaceutical use of opiates.
Krista Clarkson:
“I think that they should really clean [discarded needles] up. They need to make it so that it’s safer for everybody to go [downtown] and so that it’s not just an area for [drug users].”
Andrew Olsen:
“I think that the city could be doing more with it. I work for an organization that helps individuals with special needs and we come across a lot of needles downtown. It’s terrible.”
Kobe Hadiken:
“I don’t think they should be doing anything differently [about needle pickup]. I don’t find it as big of an issue as others do. I don’t really like [the safe consumption site]. Some people have diabetes and can’t afford their medication but we’re giving [drug users] free needles.”
Joshua Iwanczuk:
“I don’t like the idea of people dying from drugs. The safe injection site is a Band-Aid solution. I hope that in the future they do something to actually remedy the issue.”
Angela Walker:
“People say that it’s the person’s fault. I don’t think that’s true. I think it’s on the pharmaceutical companies who push opiates down people’s throats from the time they’re born.”
Destiny Friesen:
“There are other options for pain meds. They’re giving you opioids for everything unless you say you have an allergy.”
Manjot Bansal:
“The opioid crisis is definitely a real thing. Opiates are the first thing they go to in terms of pain management. I believe marijuana is a better substitute, but that’s just me.”
