UCP used ‘false narratives’ to justify safe supply policies: commentary [Video]

A new commentary suggests the Government of Alberta purposely pushed false narratives around public safety to scale down safe supply in the province.

The commentary, titled Safer supply and political interference in medical practice: Alberta’s Narcotics Transition Services, is published in International Journal of Drug Policy.

The commentary’s statements revolve around the election of the United Conservative Party (UCP) in 2019, and the ensuing policy shift away from harm reduction towards an abstinence-focused, recovery-oriented system of care.

The commentary concludes that the UCP caucus’ strong opposition to all forms of prescribed safe supply has led to the government prioritizing ideology over evidence.

It claims that at various times “prescribers were framed as harmful and requiring increased restrictions,” and “people who use drugs were framed as criminals and a danger to the public.”

The narratives, according to the commentary, allowed for “political inference in medical decision-making.”