Joint letter on public health and Covid-19

On April 9, 2020 Health Justice joined many other organizations and individuals supporting the BC/Yukon Association of Drug War Survivors to call on BC for urgent action in response to Covid-19. The letter noted that some of the most vulnerable British Columbians are being denied the benefit of current protective public health orders and directives due to stigma and systemic barriers.

The letter called on the Premier to (1) recommend that the Minister of Health order the immediate suspension of municipal bylaws which sanction the displacement of people sheltering in public spaces; (2) recommend that the Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General direct that police forces immediately and for the duration of both public health emergencies cease expending resources on the enforcement of simple possession and related offences; (3) re-emphasize to prescribers and their colleges the importance of the new Guidelines for Risk Mitigation in the Context of Dual Public Health Emergencies to saving lives; and (4) ensure that the level of resources and attention currently being provided to long-term care homes is also afforded to reserves, prisons, psychiatric facilities, homeless shelters and in high-density and high-risk hubs such as Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside.

Now is the time for BC to act to minimize the inequities exacerbated by Covid-19 and to ensure that all people in BC have equal access to the public health measures being taken to protect us.

Read the full letter from the BC/Yukon Association of Drug War Survivors here: