Rustad calls out Eby’s reckless comments on addiction crisis

BC Conservative Leader John Rustad on Monday delivered a sharp rebuke of recently surfaced comments from Premier David Eby on the opioid crisis. Rustad blasted Eby for his dismissive stance on addiction, pointing to these remarks defending the use of welfare cheques for purchasing drugs, and promised that the Conservatives will put an end to the deadly policies that have left thousands of British Columbians dead.

“David Eby’s statement — ‘If you want to take your welfare cheque and spend the whole thing on crack, that’s your right’ — shows an appalling disregard for the suffering and destruction that addiction causes,” Rustad said. “It’s no wonder we are seeing kids dying from drugs when our own Premier is promoting these kinds of dangerous policies. This isn’t just about a misguided comment; it represents the NDP’s entire ideological approach to addiction—one that has failed British Columbians and devastated our communities.”

Rustad’s criticism comes as British Columbia marks eight years since the opioid crisis was declared a public health emergency. Since then, more than 14,000 people have died due to drug overdoses, and under Eby and Trudeau’s leadership, Rustad says, the crisis has only worsened.

“We refuse to accept addiction as a lifestyle choice,” Rustad stated. “Addiction destroys lives, families, and communities. We will focus on prevention—ensuring that British Columbians, especially our youth, are equipped with the knowledge and support they need to avoid falling into addiction in the first place.”

The Conservative Party says its BC Recovers Plan stands in direct opposition to the NDP’s policies. Rustad is calling for an immediate end to decriminalization and the so-called “safe supply” of drugs, arguing that these policies have only deepened the crisis. He pledged that a Conservative government will take real action to save lives by focusing on treatment and recovery.

“The Eby-Trudeau decriminalization and safe supply experiment is an unmitigated disaster. How many more lives must be lost before they admit their failure?” Rustad asked. “We will end this reckless policy of enabling addiction and finally start focusing on real recovery.”

Rustad added that many British Columbians are suffering from trauma and mental health issues but cannot access effective treatment due to the high costs, a situation he called “unacceptable” under the NDP. He promised that the BC Conservatives will ensure that people can access the care they need to recover, not just stay trapped in the cycle of addiction.

“David Eby’s dangerous policies show exactly what’s wrong with this government’s approach,” Rustad said. “It’s time for real leadership—leadership that puts people and their recovery first, not an ideology that leaves them in the grips of addiction.”

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