Harm reduction groups denounce city councillor's comment on 'drugged-out zombies'
CBC
A Winnipeg city councillor has apologized for a remark he made about people living with addiction after criticism from community organizations working in harm reduction said his comments reflect misinformed thinking.
In response to a post Tuesday in a North Kildonan community Facebook group questioning public spending on police, Coun. Jeff Browaty said: "We need more policing — not less — due to all the drugged-out zombies on our streets."
That didn't sit well with Arlene Last-Kolb, co-founder of Overdose Awareness Manitoba, whose 24-year-old son Jessie died from a fentanyl poisoning in July 2014.
"We know how important language is," Last-Kolb said. "And of course, you know, you can't call people zombies.
"Things like that are damaging. Personally, for myself, it's upsetting. It's disrespectful."
Last-Kolb is among 36 people and organizations who signed a statement denouncing Browaty's comments.
"Before he judges, he should show a little more compassion," Last-Kolb said.
The statement calls out Browaty for his language and his views on public policy, community well-being and fiscal responsibility.
"The people who Coun. Browaty repeatedly uses as political fodder have already experienced massive inequity in access to publicly funded supports, including health and mental health supports, and have experienced systemic violence that is well documented. We know that our systems need to change," a portion of the statement says.
Browaty told CBC he regrets his choice of words.
"I apologize," Browaty said. "I realize all these people experiencing mental and physical distress on our streets are somebody's kids or parents and they are human beings at the end of the day. They are Winnipeggers."
Browaty said he made the comments after seeing a number of people in distress while waiting for the bus outside the concert hall Tuesday afternoon.
"I was literally sizing up other people at the bus stop figuring out if things got violent who I would team up with for self-preservation," Browaty said. "I was witnessing people in distress. That isn't an excuse to use the words drugged-out zombies."
However, Browaty stands by his view more enforcement is needed when it comes drug use and what he described as disorderly behaviour in public.