Rally outside Brantford courthouse calls for harsher penalties for drug dealers

Families of loved ones lost to opioid overdose gather at Brantford courthouse in protest. CTV’s Spencer Turcotte reports.

Families who have lost loved ones to the opioid crisis gathered outside the Brantford courthouse on Friday, calling for tougher penalties for drug dealers and greater compassion for people struggling with addiction.

The demonstration took place on Black Balloon Day, a day observed across North America to honour people who have died from overdose.

A bundle of black balloons floated outside the courthouse as a symbol of lives lost.

“I think the justice system needs to be aware of exactly how many people we’re losing in Brantford here alone,” said Krista Cabral, whose daughter Brittani Silvestre died from an overdose.

According to Grand Erie Public Health, there have been a number of recent suspected drug-related deaths in the region. In February, the health unit issued an alert after 10 suspected drug-related deaths were reported over a one-month period, including five in Brantford-Brant.

Cabral, who has previously spoken with CTV News about her daughter’s death, said she wants to see harsher sentences for those who sell drugs.

“They’re letting drug dealers out on bail to walk the streets to continue doing what they’ve been doing and harming more people,” she said.

Paolo Dinola also attended the rally. His son Aaron struggled with addiction before dying of an overdose.

“It was probably the worst thing I’ve had to do,” Dinola said through tears.

He says people battling addiction need more compassion from health-care workers and police.

“Nobody wanted to really help,” said Dinola. “I want to see them being treated like humans because everybody’s got a story.”

Bernice Liverance, whose son Kourie died from a fentanyl overdose, says she hopes events like Friday’s gathering help reduce stigma around addiction.

“We want the stigma gone. Fentanyl doesn’t discriminate. It doesn’t matter what background you’re from,” she said.

While the group was not allowed inside the courthouse, they hope their message is still being heard.

In an emailed statement to CTV News, a spokesperson for the Brantford Police Service said they support efforts that raise awareness about overdose risks and the availability of naloxone.

“The overdose crisis is a complex public health and community safety issue that requires a coordinated response from police, healthcare providers, social services, and community partners. Our officers regularly respond to overdose calls and are equipped with naloxone (Narcan), which has helped save many lives in our community,” the statement reads, in part.

Meanwhile, Ontario’s Ministry of Health says it has invested hundreds of millions of dollars into new Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hubs, along with 500 new addiction recovery beds and more than 1,200 supportive housing units are being built across the province.

A spokesperson for the ministry adds: “This work is in addition to our government’s $3.8 billion Roadmap to Wellness plan to build a comprehensive mental health and addiction system.”

CTV News also asked the federal government about the possibility of harsher penalties for drug dealers but did not receive a direct answer after the inquiry was redirected between departments.

But a spokesperson for the Office of the Minister of Health said the government is “taking action to fight the toxic drug crisis, better protect our communities, and improve access to treatment and essential services.”

For the families gathered outside the courthouse, however, the push for change is far from over.

“We are here,” Cabral said. “And we’re not going away.”