Landrew
Bluelighter
Professor Who Claimed BC Government Censored Him Faces Complaints From Grad Students
Students and faculty raise concerns after a Simon Fraser University course taught by professor Julian Somers descends into chaosby Rumneek Johal,Reporter
February 22, 2023
According to a letter to SFU’s Faculty of Health Sciences signed by over a dozen PhD and MSc students newly obtained by PressProgress, grad students allege a class taught by professor Julian Somers got off to the wrong start last month when he brought up his National Post story during the first class and started arguing with students.
The National Post story, which claimed Somers had been “silenced” by BC’s government for criticizing safe supply policies, was retweeted by right-wing figures, including Pierre Poilievre and Jordan Peterson.


Professor Who Claimed BC Government Censored Him Faces Complaints From Grad Students
Students and faculty raise concerns after a Simon Fraser University course taught by professor Julian Somers descends into chaos

The reason I call the paper fraudelent is that Dr Somers goes into 'rehab denial' claiming BC has nothing like portugals "theraputic communites" when they are remarkably similar to what we have in BC. Here is a quote from the Adam Zivo NP article which he brought to his SFU class:
Keep the number 64 in mind. Google anything like how many drug rehabs in Portugal? and you should find this article – It is a few years old ,has the number at 63.. These “therapeutic communities” are way to close to BC’s drug treatment facilities to reasonably claim they are a different animal.In a phone call, Somers contrasted Canada’s approach to that of Portugal. The Portuguese are legendary for effectively tackling addiction while decriminalizing drugs, but many don’t realize that their model focuses heavily on rehabilitation.
“Portugal has 64 therapeutic communities and zero consumption sites. British Columbia has zero therapeutic communities and 40-something consumption sites,” he noted.
Armed with his study results, Somers worked with 14 non-profits to call for reforms to B.C.’s drug and homeless policies. In late February 2021, he presented his findings to several provincial deputy ministers. A week later, the provincial government sent him a letter demanding that he destroy the IMED within one week. https://nationalpost.com/opinion/silencing-drug-addiction-experts-who-question-safe-supply
https://vancouversun.com/opinion/co...ons-treatment-ranges-from-spa-like-to-spartan
Also, in Vancouver you do not have to go to rehab to access such services in the DTES. For example – STEPS is way better than their website makes it sound, they have a talented MyoActivation practitioner there too, and a little gym..
https://www.vch.ca/en/service/steps-mental-health-rehabilitation-program
what do you call a doctor who denies services exist?
Hes a redneck too, lol
One thing noteworthy in the Press Progress article is it sounds like Julian has significant if not majority support in his department.
one more PP article on this.

The National Post Claims an Academic Was ‘Censored’ For Criticizing BC’s ‘Safe Supply’ Policy. That’s Not Quite Accurate.
Drug policy advocates say safe supply is being used as a ‘scapegoat’ by right-wing political figures

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