Moose Jaw Addictions Awareness Week aims to bust drug use stigma
Global News
A group of Moose Jaw community organizations are coming together to raise awareness about drug use trends in the city. Organizers hope to educate on the root causes of addiction.
A group of Moose Jaw community organizations is hosting a week of events designed aimed at improving understanding about substance use disorder.
“We really want people to know that having a stigma, and treating people differently because they have a substance use disorder, may prevent them from seeking out the help,” said Moose Jaw Crystal Meth Strategy Committee (MJCMSC) Program Coordinator Mary Lee Booth.
“We certainly wouldn’t treat anybody with diabetes, or cancer or any other medical disorder this way.”
Booth says Moose Jaw Police Service data shows both simple possession and possession with intent to traffic charges have increased significantly since 2015.
While Booth says substances like opioids are making their way into Moose Jaw, crystal meth is still the “drug of choice.”
“Several years ago a number of service organizations were noticing a notable increase in the use of crystal meth,” Booth said, of the motivation behind creating MJCMSC.
“I came from health care. In our area we were noticing more people coming in crystal meth-affected to emergency departments and inpatient mental health units. And what we do know is that about fifty per cent of people accessing detox centres and treatment services are admitting to use of crystal meth.
Addictions Awareness Week events include an exploration of current drug trends in Moose Jaw, on November 22, and a video screening of “Stop Mething Around: A Family Affair” at the Moose Jaw Public Library on the 24.
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