This past week the City issued an invitation to the community to HAVE YOUR SAY on COMMUNITY SAFETY IN DOWNTOWN OSHAWA & SURROUNDING AREA. (see link here https://connectoshawa.ca/safety) The City is calling on community members to share their feedback before June 28 for the chance to win a $100 City recreation credit. In addition to sharing your concerns, I encourage everyone also to include ideas for improvement. I certainly hope some good new ideas are submitted. However, there is no point in tip-toeing around the root problem - DRUG ABUSE.
Imo that is where the conversation begins and needs to focus - addressing the City's drug problem is the only way any effort to improve safety in the downtown will be effective.
While the police work to stop drug dealers and illicit drug manufacturing in Oshawa, IMO it's time the City curtail the MASSIVE FREE DISTRIBUTION OF NEEDLES, SYRINGES, CRACK PIPE KITS, METH PIPE KITS, STERILIZED WATER & TURNIQUETS..
Sure, handing out sterile needles cart blanche STARTING 40 YEARS AGO seemed a good idea and has been adopted around the world under the 'harm reduction' banner. (Whether enabling illicit drug use while not treating the underlying addiction actually deserves this ‘harm reduction’ moniker is a debate for another day.) But, even though they say it has saved many millions of health care dollars preventing cases of HIV and Hepatitis, can't those handing out free needles (CAREA, the JOHN HOWARD SOCIETY, THE AIDS COMMITTEE OF DURHAM REGION, and others) not see that the pendulum has swung too far?
Now the risks to the wider community have increased.
Yes, there are many aspects to the drug abuse problem and it is rampant in communities all around the world. But I am an elected representative in this City and I have heard from many Oshawa residents and businesses who feel helpless being forced to deal with the hazardous consequence of the City's policies. They have written, called, sent pictures. They feel they are held hostage with the rampant drug abuse on the City sidewalks. Every day, any time, in the morning, afternoon and nighttime, people monopolize public places or intrude on private property to buy, sell, inject or cook drugs and this situation is being NORMALIZED.
One way to combat this is to roll back needle distribution. It was originally to be a NEEDLE EXCHANGE. Then the 'exchange' part was downplayed. Then the free handouts moved from needles to all sorts of other drug paraphernalia.
If you agree, take this opportunity to give feedback on the Oshawa community safety survey https://connectoshawa.ca/safety/survey_tools/safety and in the section requesting a comment ask the City to limit the free handouts for drug use to needles only and in exchange for used needles only.
Imo that is where the conversation begins and needs to focus - addressing the City's drug problem is the only way any effort to improve safety in the downtown will be effective.
While the police work to stop drug dealers and illicit drug manufacturing in Oshawa, IMO it's time the City curtail the MASSIVE FREE DISTRIBUTION OF NEEDLES, SYRINGES, CRACK PIPE KITS, METH PIPE KITS, STERILIZED WATER & TURNIQUETS..
Sure, handing out sterile needles cart blanche STARTING 40 YEARS AGO seemed a good idea and has been adopted around the world under the 'harm reduction' banner. (Whether enabling illicit drug use while not treating the underlying addiction actually deserves this ‘harm reduction’ moniker is a debate for another day.) But, even though they say it has saved many millions of health care dollars preventing cases of HIV and Hepatitis, can't those handing out free needles (CAREA, the JOHN HOWARD SOCIETY, THE AIDS COMMITTEE OF DURHAM REGION, and others) not see that the pendulum has swung too far?
Now the risks to the wider community have increased.
Yes, there are many aspects to the drug abuse problem and it is rampant in communities all around the world. But I am an elected representative in this City and I have heard from many Oshawa residents and businesses who feel helpless being forced to deal with the hazardous consequence of the City's policies. They have written, called, sent pictures. They feel they are held hostage with the rampant drug abuse on the City sidewalks. Every day, any time, in the morning, afternoon and nighttime, people monopolize public places or intrude on private property to buy, sell, inject or cook drugs and this situation is being NORMALIZED.
One way to combat this is to roll back needle distribution. It was originally to be a NEEDLE EXCHANGE. Then the 'exchange' part was downplayed. Then the free handouts moved from needles to all sorts of other drug paraphernalia.
If you agree, take this opportunity to give feedback on the Oshawa community safety survey https://connectoshawa.ca/safety/survey_tools/safety and in the section requesting a comment ask the City to limit the free handouts for drug use to needles only and in exchange for used needles only.
