Exposing Drug Use in Hospitals: Time for Action

In a recent statement, Pierre Poilievre, the leader of the Conservative Party of Canada, has raised concerns about the safety of hospitals in the country

The Concern

Poilievre paints a vivid picture of the potential dangers that patients could face in hospitals. He asks us to imagine a scenario where a new mother, instead of enjoying the precious moments with her newborn, is disturbed by the smell of hard drugs being smoked just a few rooms away. Or a car accident victim, fighting for their life, who finds out that the person in the bed next to them is smoking a crack pipe and has a large machete in their bag.

The Proposal

In response to these concerns, Poilievre has announced that his party would soon be presenting the “Safe Hospitals Act,”. This act aims to end the federal health minister’s power to grant exemptions under the Controlled Drug and Substances Act if it means that it would allow people to use hard drugs such as fentanyl and methamphetamine in hospitals. The proposed bill would also make having weapons in a hospital an aggravating factor in sentencing on a conviction.

The Opposition

The proposal has been met with opposition from some quarters. Some argue that the proposed bill could be seen as a federal curb of provincial rights in the hospital setting, and some provinces may push back if a law is passed. The NDP and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau have been criticized by Poilievre for being "equally radical on these questions"

Conclusion

As the debate continues, it remains to be seen whether Poilievre’s proposal will gain traction. Regardless of the outcome, this proposal has sparked a conversation about the balance between patient safety and individual rights in hospitals. As Canadians, we will undoubtedly be watching this debate closely.