The Dark Side of Convenience: When It Becomes a Burden

Mr. Ford,

Please allow me to introduce myself.  My name is Jason E. Myer.  I am a 45 year old man; husband, father, son, grandson and funeral director.  I come from a wonderful family of hard working, compassionate, diligent and loyal people.  My grandfather too was a politician.  Perhaps not on 'your level’ but regardless; a very well respected and adored man who listened to the people and made the best decisions for the people.

My wife and I have dedicated our life to the service of others.  Actually, I believe you just attended a visitation not long ago at her establishment.  I have co-owned funeral homes, managed many but ultimately have sat with countless families over the years and guided them in their grief journey.  The lives that I have been a part of, the remarkable stories and memories that I have been entrusted with is humbling. I too have walked very unpleasant journey’s with these husbands, wives and children in the most horrific of circumstances.  I have bared witness to things that many should not see, similar to our ‘first responders’.  The ultimate difference is that those professionals do not have the horrid task of trying to explain to a mother why it is not in her best interest to see her first born to say goodbye.  (The topic of PTSD and acknowledging a funeral directors role is yet another topic I would love to sit down and chat about).

Today however, I am writing to you as a concerned Ontarian when it comes to the pandemic of Alcoholism and Addiction and the devastating effect it takes on individuals, families and ultimately society as a whole.   This insidious disease has one sole purpose and although dark it too is fact - death. Yes; with your current position in the distribution of alcohol you are allowing our younger generations to kill themselves more readily!  We are glorifying these drugs; most certainly alcohol whose sole purpose is to kill. Put very bluntly and without reservation; how with all the research are we standing for this.  Why is this substance becoming more easily accessible?  Why Mr. Ford are you allowing for bottles filled with a toxic substance to be in plain sight in every corner store?  Moreover, if you allow this to proceed you are putting a loaded gun in the hand of a fourteen year old like we see far too often.  You are arming the people of Ontario with the weapon manufactured to kill.  

As you may or may not have guessed, this well educated, tax paying, humble, giving person is an alcoholic; a real alcoholic. I go to “work" each and every day with the sole purpose of assisting those in need during what is possibly their worst day they have lived.  However, when my professional career has concluded for the day, I attend meetings daily and also help the next person with their struggle with alcoholism.  I am a ‘recovered alcoholic and I live my life by the program of Alcoholics Annonymous.  I have been to treatment centres, detox, jail.  I have wavered on that fine and delicate line of life and death.  But today, I come to you not so Annonymous.  Similar to the struggles of mental health and the strides taken in society to ease the pain and suffering and stigma associated. I, Mr Ford implore you to take a very long and hard look at the impending consequences of your decisions.  Yes I am well aware that this ship has sailed and you are actually moving dates forward however, you have made a detrimental and monumental err in judgement.

Contrary to what you are imposing; when smoking was being combatted; what happened?  Corner stores could no longer display tobacco products in plain sight.  Sponsorship ceased.  Prices increased.  Lighting up in a vehicle with a minor (remember this reference to a minor) was constituted to be a crime.  The list continues.  Conversely however, one no longer has to go to an LCBO or Beer Store; regulated entities.   You can pick up on your way home from work (or for some on the way to the office) in the grocery store or now at a convenience store (convenient yes, but even more convenient for youngsters/adults to steal that first bottle).  A corner store where an underage individual (recall minor) is choosing what candy to purchase.  Sponsorship continues.  The beautifully crafted commercials showing everyone have a great time, continue to increase during prime time television.  LCBO’s are being erected on what seems every corner with their spotless windows and impeccably positioned lighting.  Mr. Ford; how does any of this make sense.  How is it that you can justify such callous thoughts and actions?

Everything is cyclical and intertwined.  Most especially the difficulties that we currently are facing in our neighbourhoods.  Just turn on CP24, CTV or the CBC on a daily basis. The numbers of people that we find in the morgues whose death is attributed to addiction related causes (not to mention overdoses) is at an all time high. I am certain that only a small percentage is actually ‘worthy’ enough to be on the television.  I know that I do not see all the faces on the news that I am being of service to professionally.  In the June 2022 edition of the Canadian Public Health Association; Alcohol consumption in Canada - A Public Health Perspective  "Harms resulting from alcohol use in 2017 cost Canadians $16.6 billion, representing 36.2% of the total costs of harms resulting from substance use. It is the most societally costly substance used in Canada, with $5.4 billion in associated health care costs and $2.8 billion in criminal justice costs, as well as losses in productivity and other direct costs. Almost 20% of violent crimes were associated with alcohol use.” Sobering numbers do you not think?

Perhaps an uneducated guess, nonetheless a guess that I will certainly voice.  Further and greater accessibility to alcohol in stores will result in (please read each of these slowly, pointedly while thinking of your own neighbourhood); increased theft, increased underage drinking, increased violent crimes, increased DUI, increased motor vehicle accidents, increased alcoholism and addiction, increased drug and alcohol related deaths, increased strain on the family unit, increased divorce, increased estrangement, increased homelessness, increased social assistance requirements, increased crimes of passion, increased unclaimed deceased in our city morgues.  Cyclical. 

In the same publication as listed above, similar to the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Annoymous, five strategies were identified to reduce alcohol-related health and social harms.  Following the recipe as I have been told is always the best course of action. Firstly it offers; "Strengthen restrictions on alcohol availability”. Well apparently we do not like to listen to the primary step - a recipe for disaster?  If we in the Big Book do not investigate and fully concede to the first step, the program will not work.  Secondly; "Enforce bans and restrictions on advertising, sponsorship and promotion.”  Again, yet another step ignored and warning not heeded.  

So with this, your plan; is it beneficial?  Lucrative to the people of Ontario? Responsible to the health and wellbeing of the citizens?  For most Ontarians; to receive proper treatment in a facility is already cost

prohibitive.  Believe it or not; there are addicts and alcoholics that truly wish to overcome this all powerful disease.  Unfortunately, without better access, the alcohol and drugs will certainly do their ultimate job.  Remember Mr. Ford as I said earlier…ultimate purpose…is to KILL.  

Mr. Ford, while there is such a great amount to discuss, I have always been intrigued by your wonderful commercials where you are shown speaking to a concerned citizen.  I think this is absolutely wonderful.  I do look forward to having this same opportunity.  Much of my work however, is done face to face with families and would be honoured to sit down together over an espresso to discuss.  We could cordially meet in Woodbridge at a time and location of you choosing. Conveniently inconvenient.

Thank you for your time.

Jason E. Myer