GINTA – We need to eliminate the drug stigma and punish the dealers

A PARENT’S WORST NIGHTMARE is without a doubt the death of their child. More so when the death was preventable.

My eldest mentioned on Friday a teenager in Kamloops had suffered a fatal overdose and like every parent out there, I hoped it was just rumours. There was nothing in the news because as we all know, news on social media travels a lot faster.

Sadly, the rumours turned out to be true. A family in Kamloops is living that worst nightmare right now.

This heartbreaking story caused a hot debate on social media about which drugs could be laced with fentanyl and which one the teenager used. It also showed once again that the stigma is real and ugly, no matter the age of the victim. Throwing blame or judgment is simply heartless. For as long as drug stigma exists, there will be people dying unnecessarily.

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Daniela Ginta is a mother, scientist, writer and blogger. She can be reached at daniela.ginta@gmail.com, or through her blog at http://www.danielaginta.com.