Politics, Compassion, and the Cost of Alberta’s Drug Crisis

In this episode, Gerri Logan—member of United Nurses of Alberta Local 196’s Advocacy & Engagement Committee—sits down with Janet Eremenko, Alberta’s NDP Shadow Minister for Mental Health and Addiction, to unpack the politics and human impact behind Alberta’s growing opioid crisis.

From the ongoing debate around decriminalization to the intersection between housing, stigma, and public health, Gerri and Janet explore why overdose deaths continue to rise. At the same time, political will to act remains stagnant. They discuss the toxic drug supply and the real-life consequences of government cuts to prevention and early intervention programs.

With a harm reduction lens, this conversation challenges listeners to ask: What’s the political cost of compassion? And why isn’t the opioid crisis covered—or treated—like any other public health emergency?

Janet Eremenko is a Canadian politician and member of the Alberta New Democratic Party. She serves as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) for Calgary-Currie. A lifelong Calgarian, Janet holds a degree in International Development and has more than a decade of experience in social policy and community development. Before her election, she worked in fund development with a national charity that supports newcomers, helping them bridge foreign credentials and rebuild their careers in Canada. Her priorities include advocating for affordable living for families, strong and reliable healthcare, equity in health, justice, and education systems, and meaningful support for vulnerable populations.

Please note, the information, opinions, and recommendations expressed by guests and hosts in this Podcast are their own those don’t necessarily reflect the views of Local 196 or United Nurses of Alberta.

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