Hazelton, B.C.: Sharon Hartwell, MLA for Bulkley Valley-Stikine, is calling for urgent action from the provincial government to address the health crisis facing Glen Vowell. The small Indigenous community of Glen Vowell, also known as Sik-E-Dakh, is experiencing a state of emergency as it is being devastated by drug abuse and the healthcare system is unable to adequately respond to the community’s needs.

This crisis is symptomatic of a much larger issue impacting all of B.C. as drug and alcohol abuse are destroying lives, families and communities.

“I am once again calling on the government to provide a recovery and detox centre for Glen Vowell. The community has been asking for help, a suitable building was available, and the need is great, but so far nothing has been done,” said Hartwell. “A detox centre would be highly beneficial to the whole region, serving not only Glen Vowell but also Hazelton and all the nearby communities. Detox centres are essential to helping British Columbians suffering from drug and alcohol abuse, as they require treatment, not access to more drugs.”

The crisis has been worsened by a lack of capacity at the local hospital.

“The NDP government has neglected northern communities and failed to provide adequate healthcare,” said Hartwell. “The hospital in Hazelton, which serves five communities including Glen Vowell, is consistently at maximum capacity, and is understaffed because of housing shortages. There is also a critical lack of data and information on the causes of deaths of people in the community. Healthcare workers are doing the best they can, but they have not been given the necessary resources and support. As communities continue to grieve, it is imperative that the government act swiftly to address these issues before more people die.”

“Drug and alcohol abuse is a growing crisis in B.C.’s communities and detox centres where people can be rescued from a life of drugs, alcohol, crime, family breakdown, and destruction of human health will be a priority in a Conservative government,” said Kerry-Lynne Findlay, Leader of the Conservative Party of B.C. “It is also essential that long-neglected northern communities receive the healthcare and treatment resources they clearly need.”

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Media Contact:
Nikki Bal
Conservative.Communications@leg.bc.ca
+1 (672) 922-0948