Word Definitions - Crisis

My somewhat ancient (it almost qualifies as an antique as I have had it for over 40 years) Concise Oxford Dictionary defines crisis as "Turning point, esp. of disease; a moment of danger or suspense in politics, commerce etc." There are other, more current definitions available via the internet including those from Mirriam-Webster and Cambridge Dictionaries that are more detailed and that suggest a slightly more onerous tone.The Cambridge Dictionary, for example, includes " experiencing a time of great difficulty, danger or suffering". In the past few decades, the definition of a crisis has expanded. Despite this expanded definition, if one reads any newspaper - it is clear, The word "crisis" is greatly over-used. y newspaper, it is clear - the word crisis is greatly over-used.

The word crisis implies something that is or has just happened, something that is current and I think something that is a new situation. Using the word crisis to discuss the woefully inadequate long term accommodations for seniors is not accurate. Governments, administrators, family and residents have known for years that there were problems in many of those homes. We all ignored the reports and the recommendations. How some seniors are supported as they become elderly and frail may be a national shame. It is clear, at least to some, that we need to invest more money into long term care including into oversight, but it is not a crisis. It is a chronic problem that has festered for years. Adding to the word crisis to the label makes it appear as if someone will have to do something about it, or at least they are thinking about doing something. We should have done something about it 20 years ago.

Similarly, there has been much talk in the last week about the "opioid crisis", specifically in BC. This renewed media interest was stimulated by the report that in May, more people died from a drug overdose than those who died as a result of the COVID-19. This is a frightening and shameful statistic and the news should be published and discussed. But the fact that the number of people who are dying is increasing does not reflect a crisis. The use of illegal drugs is a chronic problem, the use of opioids has been an issue that has needed to be addressed for years. We have, as is the case with so many other issues, ignored the warning signs, ignored the reports and the comments from people who understand the issues. This nation could have years ago invested significant dollars and expertise into preventing the social circumstances that lead to people becoming more likely to become addicted. We chose not to. We chose not to invest in programs that would have given more opportunities to young people who lived in difficult situations. The fact that they are dying is not a crisis - it is a reflection on our unwillingness to invest in the solutions.

Again it appears as if people are using the word "crisis" in an attempt to get people's attention. To make it seem as if someone will have to do something about it. By using the word crisis it makes it seems as if it is not our fault, that we could have done nothing about it, that it came upon us all of a sudden and we are shocked. That is all unadulterated crap. If we had bothered to get out of our safe, comfortable shells, if we had decided that we are our brother's keepers - then there would not have been the need to define the far too many deaths from the misuse of opioids or the numerous deaths within the long term care systems as a crisis.

These things are not a crisis - they are a manifestation of our inability to do what needs to be done.