Mr. Speaker, again, it is so important that we take a compassionate and holistic approach to what is a public health crisis, not a criminal one.
The majority of overdose deaths are individuals dying alone. We need to be able to get them out of the shadows, out of the places where they are hiding, and get them to safety. We need to get them to harm reduction centres, whether it is safe consumption sites or drug checking, where they can be offered primary care, where they can be offered options, choices, so that they live.
When we use stigmatizing language, people turn in on themselves. They hate themselves. They need compassion. They need us to see them. We need to meet the moment with health services and compassion.