Dear premier,

I am writing to ask, "What are you doing about the drug crisis in Manitoba?"

The Manitoba government has stated that from 2014 to 2017, there were more than 300 deaths related to opioid overdoses in province.

Our family is in that statistic. We lost our son in 2014.

I have been listening to what you have said about what your government is doing — more beds, longer stays, rapid access, the Virgo report, etc.

My response is that isn't nearly enough.

Meet with those who use and families who have lost loved ones. Ask them yourself what we need. - Arlene Last-Kolb

Although rapid access clinics opened for alcohol and opiate addiction, they do not provide the proper treatment needed for methamphetamine.

When the Virgo report came out, meth was mentioned a total of 34 times in 255-page document. Meth was not prevalent when that report was written as it is now.

The beds that were added will hardly put a dent in what is needed, or what is needed for longer treatment. Recovery takes time.

'We are "lived experience"'

I am asking you to be more actively involved in what is happening in our province. Spend time with those who know what we need here in Manitoba — organizations like the Bear Clan, Street Connections, the Main Street Project.

Meet with those who use and families who have lost loved ones. Ask them yourself what we need.

Jessie Kolb is seen here in one of Arlene Last-Kolb's favourite photos of her son. (Submitted by Arlene Last-Kolb)

We are the experts. We are "lived experience."

We want to see you show real concern about dirty and tainted drugs that are killing our children, beyond the preoccupation you have about mouldy cannabis.

We shouldn't care more about cannabis just because we make money from the sale of it — but not from tainted, poisonous drugs.

It is too late for all our lost loved ones. - Arlene Last-Kolb

Mr. Pallister, please show you do care by getting out in the community.

How many more do we have to lose before we really do something that will make a difference?

Start with a medically assisted detox with long-term treatment and ongoing supports. Everyone wants a place to live, to sleep and to feel safe.

It is too late for all our lost loved ones. I am writing to you for those others who are with us and still struggling to survive.

Yours sincerely,

Jessie. Adam. Jesse M. Ayron. Lisa. Alex. Micheal and Bricey. Josh. Cole. Jesse F. Robert. Bruce. Stephanie. Dolph. Jamie. Scott. Cody. Wayne. Jordan. Evan. Wesley. Scott. Jason. Ethan. Margeret. Steven. Ryan. Andrew. Isaac.

P.S. — these are our children lost to overdose poisoning.

Every one of these families needed help that is not there.

No more Band-Aids. No more studies.

We have a message from our loved ones.

They are saying, "learn from me."

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