All letters to the editor published by KelownaNow reflect only the opinions of the readers who submit them, and not necessarily those of KelownaNow or its staff. Letters can be submitted to news@kelownanow.com
To the Editor,
The guilty verdict in the DULF case should prompt a reset in how British Columbia approaches addiction policy. For years, we’ve treated “harm reduction vs. treatment” as a zero-sum fight, and the public has paid the price—on our streets, in our families, and in our emergency rooms.
What’s still missing are the voices of people who’ve actually recovered. We keep hearing that lived experience matters, yet those who have sustained long-term sobriety—through abstinence-based programs, peer support, faith communities, therapy, or hybrids—rarely have a seat at the policy table.
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Compassion is essential—but compassion without accountability can slide into neglect. The DULF verdict should not be weaponized to dismiss all harm reduction, nor used to double down on failed status quo. It should be a catalyst for balance: expand treatment access and recovery housing, support abstinence-based options alongside medical care, and mandate lived-recovery representation in provincial decision-making.
If we want different outcomes, we must invite different voices. Recovery isn’t a theory; for many of us, it’s a daily practice of humility, accountability, and connection.
Let’s build policy that reflects that reality.
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