A furore among Barrie, Ontario parents has erupted after a harm reduction booklet titled “safer snorting” was distributed by the Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) at a local high school. The booklet, which provides guidance on how to snort cocaine more safely, was handed out alongside condoms at Barrie North Collegiate Institute, according to a parent who posted in the Facebook group “Barrie Concerned Citizens.”
Parental outrage
James Buccos, a member of the group, expressed his dismay in a Facebook post on Tuesday. “I do not know if the teachers and principal are aware but I sure hope complaints are made,” he wrote. “This is absolutely despicable. Yes, we are all aware our kids are going to do what they want when they aren’t home. But to hand out a book that teaches them how to safely snort coke is wrong on so many levels. We have a serious drug problem as it is, and now this?”
Buccos continued: “I am beyond disgusted. I am not aware of other high schools being given this but parents, you may want to have a chat with your child about it. Contact the school also and file a complaint. This cannot be allowed … Wtf is going on?”
Mixed reactions from parents
Another parent, Kaitlun Stark, suggested a different approach. She proposed that Buccos first ask his child “why they felt the need to take this book and talk to them about the consequences of drug use.” Stark added, “I have sat at many educational booths held throughout schools in the school board district, including booths that contain condoms, information on safe sex, and yes even information on safer drug use and party safety because surprise! lots of youth use drugs or will be exposed to them by their peers. Youth are free to take what they need — nothing is forced upon them.”
School's response
On Wednesday afternoon, Buccos made a follow-up post claiming victory and included a letter of apology from the school principal. “CMHA is absolutely wrong in what they did,” Bucco wrote. “Without speaking to parents first before deciding to hand out this woke garbage … Thank you to all the parents who showed their support in standing up for our kids.”
In a letter to parents and guardians dated May 6, Principal Kim Hand acknowledged that representatives from the CMHA were at the school and that students were invited to engage with them and access harm reduction information that “has raised some concerns.” She stated that those concerns “have been reviewed,” and as a result, resources made available to students will “align appropriately with harm reduction education as outlined in the Ontario curriculum expectations.” She apologized “for the concern this has caused.”
Broader context
The incident has sparked a broader debate about harm reduction education in schools. Some parents argue that providing such information normalizes drug use, while others contend that it is a realistic approach to keeping youth safe. The CMHA has not yet issued a public statement regarding the distribution of the booklet at Barrie North Collegiate Institute.
