The suspected overdose death of a 13-year-old girl in British Columbia has sparked outrage across the country and calls for action to prevent others from falling victim to illicit substances.Prior to dying in her tent at an Abbotsford homeless camp, Brianna MacDonald's family had tried to have her involuntarily held to receive treatment, but instead she was discharged and given access to government-supplied drug paraphernalia.According to CTV News, MacDonald passed away in August, two and a half years after she first started using drugs. Her mother, Sarah MacDonald, explained that it all started with marijuana at just 10-and-a-half years old, and that by 12, she was using molly, largely to "drown" out mental health problems.Earlier this year, she was hospitalized for a suspected overdose before being taken to Surrey Memorial's child psychiatric ward. Despite her family's pleas, they were told that she had the right to decide whether to stay and receive treatment or not. She opted to leave.Over the following months, MacDonald became more violent at home, and eventually moved to a youth centre, but ran away to the homeless camp not long after."Youth are not able to buy alcohol, they are not able to buy marijuana at the marijuana store, they can't buy cigarettes, but they can have access to crack pipes and kits to be able to do safe injection?" step-father Lance Charles told the outlet. "It's just wrong."In a statement, Fraser Health said that it will be, "learning from this tragedy, and working together to ensure that such a heartbreaking loss doesn't happen again."MacDonald's death was highlighted by many as a prime example of a failed system.."This is absolutely appalling," BC Conservative leader John Rustad wrote in a post on X. "No child should be dying in an encampment in Abbotsford."He pointed out that, "David Eby’s Pivot Legal Society has fought involuntary care tooth and nail," and that, "now, people are fed up, so our radical NDP Premier is scrambling for an about-face."."David Eby promised involuntary care during his leadership campaign," Conservative Surrey South MLA Elenore Sturko added. "As premier, he turned his back on that promise. Now, a young girl is dead despite her parents begging for her to receive involuntary care.".Federal Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre called the situation "a parent's worst nightmare," offering his condolences to MacDonald's family."Young people and their families deserve access to treatment and recovery, not hard drugs, to fight addiction," he added. "Bring our loved ones home drug-free."
The suspected overdose death of a 13-year-old girl in British Columbia has sparked outrage across the country and calls for action to prevent others from falling victim to illicit substances.Prior to dying in her tent at an Abbotsford homeless camp, Brianna MacDonald's family had tried to have her involuntarily held to receive treatment, but instead she was discharged and given access to government-supplied drug paraphernalia.According to CTV News, MacDonald passed away in August, two and a half years after she first started using drugs. Her mother, Sarah MacDonald, explained that it all started with marijuana at just 10-and-a-half years old, and that by 12, she was using molly, largely to "drown" out mental health problems.Earlier this year, she was hospitalized for a suspected overdose before being taken to Surrey Memorial's child psychiatric ward. Despite her family's pleas, they were told that she had the right to decide whether to stay and receive treatment or not. She opted to leave.Over the following months, MacDonald became more violent at home, and eventually moved to a youth centre, but ran away to the homeless camp not long after."Youth are not able to buy alcohol, they are not able to buy marijuana at the marijuana store, they can't buy cigarettes, but they can have access to crack pipes and kits to be able to do safe injection?" step-father Lance Charles told the outlet. "It's just wrong."In a statement, Fraser Health said that it will be, "learning from this tragedy, and working together to ensure that such a heartbreaking loss doesn't happen again."MacDonald's death was highlighted by many as a prime example of a failed system.."This is absolutely appalling," BC Conservative leader John Rustad wrote in a post on X. "No child should be dying in an encampment in Abbotsford."He pointed out that, "David Eby’s Pivot Legal Society has fought involuntary care tooth and nail," and that, "now, people are fed up, so our radical NDP Premier is scrambling for an about-face."."David Eby promised involuntary care during his leadership campaign," Conservative Surrey South MLA Elenore Sturko added. "As premier, he turned his back on that promise. Now, a young girl is dead despite her parents begging for her to receive involuntary care.".Federal Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre called the situation "a parent's worst nightmare," offering his condolences to MacDonald's family."Young people and their families deserve access to treatment and recovery, not hard drugs, to fight addiction," he added. "Bring our loved ones home drug-free."
