I agree, and no one at this table or in civil society is going to dispute the fact that those who traffic in drugs and who are dealing them need to be held to account. However, they are clearly different from those who are using because of the traumas they've experienced in their everyday lives.
My time is limited. Maybe I'll just end with a statement.
You talk about having this conversation. This conversation has been had for the last decade. How many more experts, how many more statistics do we need before we take firm action on this? When people in my community go out and buy street drugs, they are playing Russian roulette with their lives. They just do not know whether or not that hit is going to kill them, but they are addicted. They have no choice. This is how they get through their day-to-day lives.
I implore you, Minister, to use this moment, to do the right thing, and to change policies so that we save lives.