Fighting the good fight against meth addiction

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 26/11/2019 (2447 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

By now many of you have heard of the documentary titled Methamphetamine: Community Under Siege, by Winnipeg filmmaker and rural Manitoba paramedic Rodney Bodner.

Trust me, it’s not easy to watch. It’s dark, depressing, scary and sad. It doesn’t sugarcoat the realities of addiction, nor the fact that meth is destroying lives in every community and corner of Winnipeg. By putting real people in front of the camera — dealers, addicts and recovering addicts — it challenges viewers to face the reality that meth doesn’t distinguish between incomes, ages, professions, backgrounds, beliefs, genders or neighbourhoods, meaning we shouldn’t be under any illusions it isn’t in River Park South.  

I recently met up with a friend at a playground only to watch them do a quick scan looking for needles while I made my way to the swings with their four-year-old. Turns out this is their routine at every playground in and outside of Winnipeg. It never would have occurred to me — until I saw the documentary. That drug use and addition has infiltrated playgrounds, where innocence goes to play, is terrifying. Yet it’s where we are as a society in 2019.  

However there is hope, lots of hope, and Bodner spends a good portion of his film sharing optimism, and proof that there is light at the end of the meth tunnel. His challenge to everyone is to support those that are working to make a difference and to do what we can to be part of the solution.  

The Bear Clan, Morberg House, St. Boniface Street Links and other outreach groups are working hard to be part of that multi-faceted solution and they feature prominently in Bodner’s film. Indeed, a commitment to poverty reduction strategies and increased supports for those struggling with mental illness are repeatedly seen as key in the fight against drug addiction.

 
What can we as residents of RPS and citizens of Winnipeg do?

Here are some suggestions:

• Find a way to see the documentary;

• Create opportunities for the conversations that will lead to action and positive change;

• Reach out to your elected representatives and ask what is being done to reduce poverty and increase mental health supports for the those in need;

• Donate to, and support, the groups and agencies who are taking care of our most vulnerable, at risk, and impoverished citizens;

• Thank Rodney Bodner for investing time and energy in a project that will hopefully lead to much-needed action.  

Sandy Nemeth is a community correspondent for River Park South and chair of the Louis Riel School Board. Email her at snemeth8@mts.net