How has Policing the Pandemic Affected Drug Users?

Émilie Roberge, in charge of the community consultation overdose prevention at TOMS, table des organismes communautaires montrealaise de lutte contre le sida, an organization working in the fight against HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections, says the curfew will increase isolation, which has already led to an increase in overdoses during the pandemic.

Roberge says isolating is against harm reduction practices. She says the curfew in particular provides a lack of access to clean needles, food and lighters at night. She identified that Montreal Public Health and CNNST reported an increase in overdoses in March and April of 2020, saying harm reduction organizations have also reported increased use during pandemic.

While safe injection sites remain open as an essential service during curfew, she said increased policing and curfew could deter users from accessing these services at night.

Roberge says the curfew can also affect the street economy, ultimately negatively impacting low income folks and those who work nights, such as sex workers and those who collect cans for money. Roberge says policing pandemic is harmful on everyone, but especially marginalized populations.

The isolation can cause various dangerous situations, including those experiencing domestic violence from a partner being isolated with their abuser and feeling deterred from leaving during curfew hours. Roberge says the curfew can affect low income folks and those who work nights, such as sex workers and those who collect cans for money.

This interview was used in an episode of Local 514, which focused on the Montreal and Quebec governments punitive measures during the pandemic and how it has affected Montrealers.

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