Media Advisory of Press Conference: Bill 22 Stands to Increase the Opioid Crisis and Youth Deaths; Bill 22 Must be Withdrawn
Press Release
July 24, 2020
WHAT: The Union of BC Indian Chiefs, Health Justice, and BC Civil Liberties Association are hosting a press conference urging the provincial government to withdraw Bill 22. Bill 22 proposes amendments to BC’s Mental Health Act to create a new form of detention and involuntary health care in BC for youth who have experienced an overdose.
Speakers will address key concerns with Bill 22, including:
- Involuntary detention, including use of restraints, of youth for up to 7 days following an overdose, without the consent of a youth or a parent/guardian.
- Lack of comprehensive and meaningful engagement with Indigenous peoples, contrary to the principles of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
- Harmful impacts of coercive healthcare on youth who use substances during an opioid overdose health crisis.
- Establishing a comprehensive voluntary system of substance use services throughout BC.
WHEN: Monday July 27, 2020 at 10 a.m. PST
WHERE: Via Zoom, media registration opens at 9:45 am. Simultaneous livestream through UBCIC Facebook page.
Full Media Kit & Backgrounder available as a PDF here.
SPEAKERS:
- Jennifer Charlesworth: BC’s Representative for Children and Youth
- Kukpi7 Judy Wilson: Union of BC Indian Chiefs
- Kali Sedgemore: member of ‘Namgis First Nation, OPS youth peer and outreach worker
- Hawkfeather Peterson: BC/Yukon Association of Drug War Survivors
- Garth Mullins: Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users, Crackdown Podcast
- Laura Johnston: Health Justice
- Meghan McDermott: BC Civil Liberties Association
Media contact:
Iman Baobeid: iman@bccla.org or 604-401-4517
Ellena Neel: eneel@ubcic.bc.ca or 778-866-0548
IHT5
