Send this page to someone via email

Comments on addiction made by a Calgary councillor on Wednesday have sparked some criticism from citizens.

During a committee meeting discussion on public safety concerns near a supervised consumption site in downtown Calgary, Ward 4 Coun. Sean Chu stated that addiction is a “choice.”

“Addiction. We call it a disease. I get mental issues may be disease. But drug addiction … we heard why people are doing drugs — to get away from something else — but truly, it’s a choice,” he said.

READ MORE: Calgary committee hears concerns about supervised consumption site

Chu’s remarks sparked outrage on social media, with one person on Twitter encouraging people to call Chu’s office and share their addiction experiences.

Story continues below advertisement

Sean Chu is a moron.

"Coun. Sean Chu said drug use and addiction is "a choice," not a disease, and asked those present in the audience to raise their hands if they would like a "shooting gallery" in their neighbourhood — phrasing Coun. Evan Woolley bristled at" #yyc #Calgary — John 🇨🇦 (@MrJnow) February 14, 2019

On Wednesday afternoon, Chu tweeted that he asked the people sitting in the committee audience of they “would like to have a safe injection site in their neighbourhood” and no one raised their hand.

I asked committee audience(total 40 people) if they would like to have a safe injection site in their neighborhood, 0 raises their hand. I thought so. #yyc #yyccc #calgary https://t.co/JlJNE1DPbm , https://t.co/lg10vXCOzh — Sean Chu (@seanchucalgary) February 13, 2019

City council members will continue to discuss the issue on Feb. 25.