B.C. needs more support for drug overdose survivors, caregivers: advocate

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) — Not enough is being done to support survivors of drug overdoses in need of long-term care and their caregivers, according to a grieving B.C. mother.

Leslie McBain lost her son, Jordan, to a drug overdose six years ago and now spends most of her time helping families with loved ones who require life-long care.

“The toll that takes on the family. The toll that takes on the caregiver is profound.” What @leslie_mcbain tells @NEWS1130 about the current lack of support for SURVIVORS of drug overdoses in #BC left with permanent brain damage. #bcpoli #BCelxn2020 #BCvotes2020 @NEWS1130

— Marcella Bernardo (@Bernardo1130) October 21, 2020

“I have never heard a word about financial support for caregivers –the families taking care of these folks for life,” she says.

McBain is the co-founder of the group Moms Stop the Harm and works with the BC Centre on Substance Use. She says many caregivers are struggling to support those with permanent brain damage as a result of an overdose.

The co-founder of group Moms Stop The Harm lost her son Jordan 6 years ago and now helps other families with loved ones needing life-long care.

“There is very little being done to support people who don’t die, but have been without oxygen for minutes. There’s no fix for that.”

— Marcella Bernardo (@Bernardo1130) October 21, 2020

“We have some moms in our organization for whom this is the situation,” she says. “The families end up, essentially for life, caring for these individuals who may not be able to work, who may not be able to have their full brain power and so, are really compromised.”

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McBain says the fact more than 1,200 people have died from overdoses in B.C. this year only tells part of the story.

“There is very little being done to support people who don’t die but have been without oxygen for minutes. There’s no fix for that,” she says.

“The toll that takes on the family. The toll that takes on the caregiver is profound.”

Former housing minister Selina Robinson says plans to re-develop the Riverview hospital lands in Coquitlam include some supportive housing, but nothing has been finalized yet.

There are also some care homes in B.C. that offer support for individuals with brain injuries and GF Strong offers resources as well.

The co-founder of group Moms Stop The Harm lost her son Jordan 6 years ago and now helps other families with loved ones needing life-long care.

“There is very little being done to support people who don’t die, but have been without oxygen for minutes. There’s no fix for that.”

— Marcella Bernardo (@Bernardo1130) October 21, 2020

McBain says she’s waiting to hear what more will be done to help victims who don’t die, but she does urge voters against spending their tax dollars on safe drug supplies to reconsider.

“It will cost huge expenses. If they can’t see their way past stigma, then they should wonder what they’re paying for because they don’t believe in all the harm reduction that we know helps.”