The recent authorization of providing “safer supply” fentanyl to minors in British Columbia without parental notification or approval is both shocking and distressing. The B.C. government started offering limited access to comparatively safe fentanyl in 2020 through pilot projects, and the provincial government had commissioned the creation of protocols to assist clinicians in prescribing safer supply across the province.
This initiative was shrouded in secrecy, with little media coverage and virtually no public discussion, sparking serious ethical and practical addiction issues. The B.C. government’s decision to distribute fentanyl to minors without any apparent safeguards and without involving alternative points of view or the concerns about the validity of underage consent is alarming.
The distribution of “safe” fentanyl to minors by the B.C. government without parental involvement poses serious ethical and practical addiction issues. Additionally, the idea that drug-dependent young people can be offered the same access as adults to severe drugs is nonsensical. There is no justification for allowing such access to young people in this manner.
The public concern with this initiative extends to the government reframing the provision of recreational fentanyl as medical care, potentially enabling them to become a dangerous drug dealer with unlimited supply and access to minors. The government’s actions are alarming and do not contribute to a solution in combating drug abuse, demonstrating the need for a serious, effective approach to reduce drug abuse.
In conclusion, the B.C. government’s policy of distributing recreational fentanyl without parental consent is not part of the solution in addressing the issue of drug abuse. It is necessary to find a genuine way to combat drug abuse effectively in order to reduce the risks that come with it.