Today's letters: Address causes — not just symptoms — of overdose crisis in Ottawa

Monday, Jan. 6: 'Safer supply' policies don't seem to be working; we need to focus on the underlying causes of drug abuse, says a reader. You can write to us too, at [email protected]

Published Jan 06, 2025  •  Last updated 0 minutes ago  •  10 minute read

A man passes by Respect RX and Recovery Care, both of which give out medical grade opioids to about 500 nearby users. However, the program has created chaos outside its doors, forcing Steve's Music next door to move. Photo by JULIE OLIVER /POSTMEDIA

Address roots of the drug crisis

Re: Crisis, chaos, concern: Ottawa’s large experiment with ‘safer’ opioids could be nearing an end, Dec. 30.

This article about safe drug supply systems and the problems they cause for local residents and businesses was very valuable. But it was about the symptoms of a societal problem, not the root causes.

How is it that people get into these difficult situations and become homeless, suffer mental damage from continued use or die from overdoses? If we continue to focus on symptoms alone, the problem will always be with us. This is the story that we need to hear.

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The reasons that make people turn to drugs and alcohol are many:  children who are perhaps thrown out of their homes; children in families where parents have addiction problems; people losing jobs, families and homes then turning to the solace of drugs; or young people enticed by a better high with unanticipated consequences. Who knows?

A more caring society would seek out and address root causes. It would cost more in the short term, but think of what it might save in human and financial terms later on.

I too often hear that we can’t afford such provisions. But treatment agencies end up spending inordinate amounts of time fundraising, and never seeming to get enough, instead of having adequate public/government support so they can focus on care. As one of the worlds wealthiest societies, it is not a question of having enough, but of distributing it more fairly.

Instead, we feature articles on the 100 wealthiest Canadians; on the latest multimillion sports contract; on how a highly paid baseball player gets more for hitting a home run that our prime minister’s annual salary; or how a corporate CEO pays less tax than his secretary.

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Meanwhile, people are living in poverty or ending up in the street or trapped by drugs because they can’t cope. Those struggling are our neighbours. Or they might be one of our children, brothers or sisters. If Canada is broken, it is because too many are focused on “me” rather than “us.”

Michael Wiggin, Ottawa

Change direction on safe drug supply

Andrew Duffy reports “The number of confirmed overdose deaths has increased in Ottawa in each of the past four years.” Obviously, an important conclusion is that the current program of safe supply sites has failed to save lives. Another important conclusion is that safe supply drugs result in new addicts, a form of collateral damage.

We can also conclude that various statements made over the years by the proponents of safe supply sites are basedon personal opinions, not rational analysis.

The definition of insanity is to keep doing the same thing and expect different results. We need to change direction when it comes to drug addiction.

André Corriveau, Stittsville

So much wrong with drug policies

The recent article in the Citizen mentions that $9.6 million was budgeted by the federal government to support the safe supply program in Ottawa, and OHIP covers off drug costs over and above that for some 500 addicts.

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The drugs given out are 13 times the limit per day that can be prescribed for chronic back pain for the general population.

The worrisome fact is that pills are given to these regular users in bulk and apparently they are subsequently traded off for more potent street drugs.

This is costing us the safe use of our downtown core. Policing  is merely a cosmetic presence as courts and jails are useless for disciplining addicts.

Government detox centres could be introduced in those large empty buildings such as the Sir Charles Tupper Building, which is in the city but away from the businesses and residences. These centres would have a better chance of rehabilitating addicts if they are away from drug lords and gangs.

Brian Vachon, Greely

Thanks for giving us just the facts

Thank you, Andrew Duffy, for a well-written, refreshing piece. An article that presents the facts. It doesn’t preach or tell me how to think.

Good journalism.

Lucia Alloggia, Ottawa

Ottawa’s light rail is a costly lemon

Re: Rail link from airport to city centre will bolster the economy, Jan. 2, and Ottawa is building light rail in all the wrong places, Dec. 20.

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Coun. Laura Dudas and her colleagues have inherited, in automobile parlance, a lemon purchased by a previous mayor and city council. It is a wicked problem that cannot be solved with wishful thinking. John Edmond, in a column days earlier, described concisely how transit planners dropped the ball with Ottawa’s LRT system.

I know a student at Carleton University who lives in Barrhaven. He will not be driving to Leitrim Station, even though he lives on the east side of Barrhaven, closer to the station than almost any other resident of Barrhaven. It’s a long way. By the time he got to the station, he would be most of the way to school in his ancient, reliable jalopy. Two siblings who attend Canterbury High School will be spending longer on the bus as a result of the changes to be introduced when the new line is opened.

Dudas thinks that business travellers arriving at the Ottawa airport will take the option to board the train and find their way to meetings with ease. As the former executive director of a business council, I welcomed many business people to meetings in central Ottawa. Their time is precious and they will take a Uber or a taxi to downtown for $25 rather than take three trains for $4. And returning home after a day of work with a plane to catch, they will be even less inclined to take three trains.

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John Hollins, Gloucester

The O-Train was to start running along the Line 4 extension to the Ottawa airport today. Photo by Julie Oliver /POSTMEDIA

New airport line won’t beat Uber

With the new rail service, my trip to the airport from Orléans “improves” from two buses and one train to one bus and three trains.

In other words, I will continue to use Uber.

Steve Morris, Orléans

LRT will forever drain city coffers

The LRT has unfortunately been an unmitigated disaster from its onset; remember the collapsing downtown tunnel during construction?

In his recent opinion column, John Edmond doesn’t mention the problems posed by the choice of a narrow gauge and sharp bends in the track, which put an enormous strain on the wheel assemblies and hence mean a continual need for their repair and maintenance.

There is also the negative impact on what was once a progressive transit bus system, serving all corners of Ottawa. Is it any wonder that we now hear stories of people abandoning OC Transpo in favour of a car?

The sad truth is that the LRT will forever be a drain on the city’s financial resources. Much needed social services will undoubtedly be sacrificed on the LRT altar. Fortunately, the good news is that it does not have to be this way. All that is required is for the mayor and council to pluck up the courage, call it a day, bury the LRT, and give us back a bus system that actually works — perhaps electric? Most of us will be eternally grateful, especially for our pocketbooks.

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Andrew Lumsden, Ottawa

Thanks for glimpses of the ByWard Market

Re: Voices from The Market, Dec. 14.

I’d like to say thank you to Marlo Glass and Tony Caldwell for the amazing interviews and photos from the ByWard Market.

I loved that they covered various perspectives. I learned so much, and I am optimistic that things will get better in the Market.

Happy New Year!

Christine Thomas, Ottawa

Canada’s very, very boring New Year

Countries around the world put on the most spectacular fireworks and other displays to ring in the New Year. What does Canada do? Nothing! We are directed to Times Square in New York, which has become boring.

Diane Hendren, Barrhaven

What if Poilievre focused on health?

Re: The Conservatives have a new plan to bring down the government quickly, Dec. 27.

If Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre focused on fixing our health care system with the same cleverness, energy and House of Commons time he has put into bringing down the Liberals and becoming prime minister, we might all be in a better place.

Gordon A. Barnett, Gatineau

Does Poilievre even have a platform?

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Pierre Poilievre will once again attempt to oust the Liberal government. His time might be better spent developing a platform so voters know what they will be voting for or against.

Alistair Hensler, Nepean

GST/HST break was just a political gimmick

Re: GST/HST tax-break — What to know and how to save, Jan. 2.

I just went to a health food store and picked up some supplements. Paid tax on the whole lot. Next door was a general-type store that I chose to walk by, even though I could have purchased chips and Coke tax-free.

There could be only one short-sighted person who could up with that costly political gimmick.

Robert Lamont, Ottawa

Dictators rejoice as the West bickers

Re: Trump again floats idea of making Canada the ’51st state’: ‘They would save massively,’ Dec. 18.

Santa Claus came to Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, Kim Jong Un and their friends and delivered what they were praying for: the United States and its closest allies bickering over non-issues as the year begins. Happy New Year to all!

Peter Boswajit Aikat, Ottawa

Canada, we’re sorry about Donald Trump

My wife and I visited Ottawa in the summer of 2016. We loved your city. Attending a service at one of your churches and meeting folks at the coffee hour was a great experience.

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As Americans who have long appreciated Canada, we want to apologize for the insults to Canada by a showman politician. In my book, Canada is the leading light of democracy and western civilization.

Long live Canada.

Chris Englund, Stuart, Fla.

Pierre Trudeau would school Trump smartly

What we need is someone who knows how to mix it up. Anybody who remembers Pierre Trudeau knows Donald Trump would have learned to mind his manners.

Murray Citron, Ottawa

Stop kow-towing to Donald Trump

Canada needs to get a grip. We are just a small blip on Donald Trump’s screen right now. He might impose those suicidal tariffs simply because he can; our premature kow-towing to his bully-boy negotiating tactic will only embolden him.

John Morris, Ottawa

Canadians do have common values

Re: Trump ignites our patriotism, Dec. 23.

Tasha Kheiridden says in her column that Canadians have “no common values” but ends by telling us that an overwhelming majority want to be Canadian. That’s a “common value.” The idea that there should be something that we all believe is ridiculous.

If you want to find a country where everyone, without exception, believes in some “shared values,” start your search on Mars. Only if there are no people will there be no disagreements.

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Kheiridden also suggests that we should not be critical of things that Canadians have done in the past. Everyone has done things that we should now regret. Countries that do not admit past faults cannot improve. Examining its own past critically will make Canada a better country.

Dave Parnas, Ottawa

Thanks for solving my passport panic

I spent a panicky Monday realizing that my passport expires in five months and that, as a result, the airline wouldn’t let me board a flight on Jan. 3. My wonderful, supportive husband and I headed to the Service Canada office on Meadowlands Drive.

The office opens at 8:30 a.m. and there was already one gentleman there at 6:30 am. We arrived at 8:15 to an unbelievably long lineup due to the postal strike.

Once inside, we found the employees were friendly, efficient and very helpful. Although we had a long wait (two hours), they were there at both kiosks and one employee even helped my husband print off our tickets.

Thank you for treating a panicked, worried senior with respect and good humor (and thank you, Nick, in line, for your compassion and information).

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Kathleen Hall, Nepean

2025: The year to start being civil?

Re: 2025, the year to beautify Ottawa as Canada’s capital? Dec. 27.

Brigitte Pellerin’s column mentioned the need to increase the profile of Wellington Street. It’s a great idea at the right time.

My wish for 2025 is for those who comment in the digital version of the Ottawa Citizen to include a little civility with their comments. They know who they are.

While different opinions can often shed some new light on an issue, they may have more credibility when articulated in a common-sense, respectful manner. Nasty comments have little effect other than to potentially encourage other spiteful responses. For 2025, let’s have a more friendly exchange of opinions. Please.

Dale Boire, Nepean

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