The Other Health Crisis -- Opioids

Rescue the perishing, care for the dying,

Snatch them in pity from sin and the grave;

Weep o’er the erring one, lift up the fallen,
Tell them of Jesus, the mighty to save.

• Refrain:
  Rescue the perishing, care for the dying,
  Jesus is merciful, Jesus will save.

We are gratified here in Ontario that the number of cases. hospitalizations, and deaths due to COVID-19 have generally been below 100 a day in the past week, although yesterday saw a small uptick. For Canadians there is a sense of relief that the measures imposed by different levels of government have worked and I literally thank God I'm not a part of the death cult in the United States. Let's keep that border closed!

Sadly, we've heard that another health crisis has been on the rise with a disturbing increase in the number of deaths. First British Columbia reported a record number of deaths in May and noted that the toxicity of the drugs has increased. Now Ontario have seen surges in opioid drug deaths.Toronto Public Health issued a warning on Friday afternoon after paramedics reported a total of 15 suspected overdose deaths involving opioids between July 9th and July 17th. I wonder if this is more deaths than from COVID in the same period. 

We shouldn't be surprised given the challenges of isolation and anxiety we have all faced during these uncertain months. I imagine that those dealing with other addictions, including alcohol, have also struggled as support systems were curtailed and the future has seemed bleak.

One of the arguments for allowing places of worship to reopen is that some congregations have significant ministries to those dealing with addictions and that they were providing an essential service.

I'm someone who has never used drugs and I don't drink much, even in these past few months. Still, I've come to realize over the years that it doesn't help to stigmatize those who live with addiction and that moral judgement solves nothing. Some of the old hymns have rather florid lyrics about rescuing the lost, but in practice our society has often been more about stigmatizing and leaving addicts to perish than throwing a lifeline. 

I really hope that governments will figure out how to provide services and support agencies which are attempting to address the opioid crisis It is a moral obligation to do so.