Delta Community Action Team
Our Questions to Delta 2022 Electoral Candidates
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1. Illicit Drug Toxicity Death Rates in Delta have continually risen since 2019. Delta witnessed 12.6 deaths per 100,000 in 2019, 17.8 in 2020, 18.5 in 2021 and 25.9 from January to August of 2022¹. In May of 2022, Delta saw an 83% increase in deaths related to substance use compared to 2021².
What is your understanding of Delta’s status in relation to the ongoing, increasingly deadly, toxic drug supply crisis? Please comment on any actions you have taken or your approach to address this public health emergency?
1 (BC Coroners Service, Illicit Drug Toxicity Deaths in BC January 1, 2012 – August 31, 2022)
2 (Fraser Health, TOXIC DRUG POISONING RESPONSE PUBLIC REPORT, MAY 2022)
Candidate for Councillor
Brian Read
"Clearly the use and abuse of illicit drug use is going up and the problem needs to be worked on. At this point, it’s a very complicated situation. While nobody wants to see somebody abusing drugs and losing their life, it’s a challenge when the next drug fix outweighs somebody offering help. I will admit I have not been involved in this process as a citizen and was unaware of what Delta offered and did not offer."
Candidate for Councillor
Dr. Maha Balakumar
"It’s a passionate issue for me with my medical background. It’s kept in the shadows for the most part in Delta , in-spite of the alarming increase in OD deaths.
I have made it an important and a passionate issue in my platform for my campaign. My approach is to bring this issue to the forefront in council , make a vibrant and focused lobbying and advocacy to the provincial and federal government to have
more programs and services and to look at leveraging our resources specially land and building space to have programs and services to be housed right here in Delta."
Candidate for Councillor
Moneca Kolvyn
(See Moneca's respnse to all three questions below)
Achieving for Delta team
"In Delta, and across the Metro Vancouver region, the overdose crisis has affected too many families. The Achieving for Delta team commits to working closely with Delta Police and community partners on education and harm reduction. If elected, we will continue to ensure the Little House/Phoenix Society, Deltassist, and the Ladner United Church Emergency Weather Shelter are all adequately funded.
Last term, Mayor Harvie, and Councillors Alicia Guichon and Dylan Kruger supported an overdose and mental health education event called "THIS" by the Harmony and Inclusion Society. If re-elected, members of the Achieving for Delta team will be looking to do more events and education campaigns on this important topic."
Candidate for Mayor
Joginder Randhawa
"Illicit Drug Toxicity Rates in Delta have been on the rise since 2019. This is a public health emergency. The Government of Canada has taken actions to address the Opioid overdose crisis and help save lives. Including government funding for projects. Increase access to treatment and harm reduction programs , as well as awareness prevention and enforcement efforts.
I will, if elected Mayor in Delta look into the implementation of these actions in the municipality of Delta. Are we doing everything we can to prevent and stop this crisis? Do we need more funding? What are the gaps that we are facing? Once I identify the gaps in the implementation of there actions. I will make it my top priority to address them."
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2. Cultural understandings and stigma of mental health and substance have deepened the impact of the overdose crisis for (some) racialized and marginalized communities.
How will your policy support the diverse population of Delta to address cultural understanding of substance use, stigma, mental health and other inequities that are at the root of this problem?
Candidate for Councillor
Brian Read
"There are definitely issues in Delta with diversity in regards to drug use. I think Delta is going in the right direction of becoming more inclusive but there does need to be more support and understanding of what is at the root of the problem and how we are going to go about helping somebody get over those problems. There does need to be programs set up to support these people."
Candidate for Councillor
Dr. Maha Balakumar
"Engage with leaders, partners and stake holders including DCAT members to enhance culturally sensitive awareness programs, education programs , counselling services as well as introduce new programs as appropriate."
Candidate for Councillor
Moneca Kolvyn
(See Moneca's response to all three questions below)
Achieving for Delta team
"Delta is a diverse community and as such, we must apply diversity, equity and inclusion lenses when looking at all aspects of our community. These same principles apply no different when addressing issues such as substance abuse, stigma, mental health issues and other inequities that exist in our community. If elected, all members of the Achieving for Delta team will commit to building a more fair and inclusive community while we continue to fund local, community-based organizations doing incredible work for those who are suffering from addiction, substance abuse, and mental health issues."
Candidate for Mayor
Joginder Randhawa
"Delta is a diverse community with people of many different cultures living and growing together. We need to practice cultural centred governance. The federal government has given some guidance on the subject of awareness and prevention of the Opioid Crisis. In Delta this needs to be done with cultures centred lens. Having stake holders from diverse cultures, including users, their families and those with lived experience to be part of the action plan is very important. Trauma can lead some into substance use and those who use substances often experience trauma as part of the culture they live in. Therefore expanding public awareness around substance use and harm of stigma needs to also be trauma informed.
I will support Soar Above Stigma, a resource that provides outreach support and stigma education for Indigenous Community members dealing with addiction or mental health issues.
I will look into practices for addressing substance use stigma within the health system In Delta. Including through use of compassionate and non- stigmatizing language.
I will continue engagement activities with law enforcement to promote uptake of an online Drug Stigma Awareness Training Module.
I will encourage the use of toolkit of resources for employers of those working in Delta into trades and related industries to help reduce the harm of substance use.
I will look into the implementation of Blueprint for Action and policy paper for schools and community organizations in Delta that support youth, outlining practical approaches for schools to prevent substance related harms among youth."
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3. It is well demonstrated that harm reduction saves lives and when accompanied by improved access to social services, improves health outcomes. However, Delta currently lacks many of these services, which include no supervised drug use locations, no detox locations, no shelters and no free peer support networks and while there are free counselling services, capacity is capped due to funding. Many residents are referred to surrounding cities for services they do not qualify for. There is also significant stigma towards those who use substances so that accessing the services that are needed are often met with only abstinence solutions.
How will you decrease stigma and increase access to harm reduction services within the municipality of Delta?
Candidate for Councillor
Brian Read
"Well I do believe Delta needs more services, I don’t believe they need all that is on your list. I don’t believe in supervised drug use locations/safe injection sites because I question how they help an individual. It appears to me that it enables the use of drugs. But I will admit I may not have a full understanding of what the goal is with safe injection sites and I have not experienced somebody I know firsthand falling victim to these circumstances. As for the other services mentioned like detox centres and support, I fully believe those should be in every city because the problem is everywhere and not in just one place."
Candidate for Councillor
Dr. Maha Balakumar
"A very complex problem that needs a multi faceted approach.
Harm reduction programs and services with appropriate and adequate social services is paramount in this regard. Always the stumbling block is funding by governments who have other competing issues and interests.
Again a vibrant and focused lobbying and providing data/stats for Delta showing the cost/ benefit , pros and cons of harm reduction services and sway decisions toward housing services right here in Delta is an approach I will adhere to."
Candidate for Councillor
Moneca Kolvyn
"In 2018, Delta, and the running candidates were made fully aware of the link between money laundering, drugs and casinoes.
This was covered widely in investigative programs-and a provincial investigation was in place.
Our current Mayor stood firm in insisting that the casino would solve all our issues.
There was no possibility of this, but so be it.
I was very vocal in posing the question; How does one addiction(gambling), solve another addiction(drugs)?
I was laughed at.
My suggestion is always that we get all parties together, make a plan and move on it.
We don't need 200 page research papers-we know the problem.
I suggested looking at a multi-municipal drug treatment centre in possibly Hope-land is cheaper, less distraction...I was laughed at.
I am presently feeding an addict who lives under a bridge with his animals. I am bringing food for the animals and the people.
They are desperate to get into John Volken-but pricey and a wait list.
If addicts actually want to go to rehab-this should be like a person in an accident going to the hospital.
It needs to happen now.
It seems to me that politicians are interested in "running" on the issue but not solving once they are elected.
We really do not need any more "meetings"-we need plans that we are willing to commit to and act.
We send politicians all over the world to observe solutions-yet they return to Canada and do nothing.
Legalizing weed is not really a problem solver.
It seems blatantly apparent that politicians -at this point-don't really care.
I have run on a platform of "validating public consultation and having a truly open door policy."
Anyone who personally knows me-will know I am absolutely serious."
Achieving for Delta team
"Prior to Mayor Harvie’s election in 2018, previous council’s response to drug use, overdoses, mental health and homelessness in Delta was to send residents in need of help to other cities. The City has an obligation to its residents to provide care and services for residents in Delta. The current council under Mayor George Harvie’s leadership has started that process over the last four years. However, there is much more to do, and Achieving for Delta candidates commit to doing this important work."
Candidate for Mayor
Joginder Randhawa
"I will seek exemptions for supervised consumption sites in Delta.
I will try my best to insure improved access to overdose prevention service by establishing temporary spaces where people can consume drugs under supervision to reduce risk of overdose death within existing supervised consumption sites, shelters or other temporary sites as needed.
I support the Good Samaritan Drug Overdose Act, which provides some legal protection from simple drug possession charges for people who seek emergency help during an overdose."