For Immediate Release: May 5, 2023
Media Contact: Tom Basile [email protected]
People living with substance use disorder deserve access to quality treatment
(Vancouver, BC) – The Foundation for Drug Policy Solutions President and CEO Dr. Kevin Sabet, a former Obama drug policy advisor, released the following statement today following reports that a Vancouver man has opened a store selling cocaine, crack cocaine, methamphetamine, heroin, and other drugs.
“‘The Drugs Store’ in Vancouver – which is openly selling crack, methamphetamine, and heroin to teenagers and anyone else over 18 – is about harm promotion, not harm reduction. Legalizing and selling drugs like cocaine, methamphetamine, and fentanyl will only worsen our addiction crisis, not make us safer. This storefront is an imminent threat to public health and safety, and should be shut down immediately. People who use drugs deserve to live a full life in recovery from addiction, and they deserve quality treatment and care. They don’t deserve to be consigned to addiction and misery. We are calling on the Vancouver Police Department and other authorities to shut this store down immediately.”
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