Timmins council debates merits, impact of safe consumption site in the city
Timmins’ temporary safe consumption site is set to close at the end of the month and this week, city council debated its importance in tackling the city’s addiction issues.
Some councillors suggested there has been more social disorder with Safe Health Site Timmins around, while others say it’s a critical tool to save lives.
One city councillor moved to revoke the city’s support for making the site permanent.
“We really didn’t understand how much of an effect it would have,” said Coun. Bill Gvozdanovic.
Gvozdanovic said issues like public intoxication and violence worsened with the opening of the site.
But that’s a minority opinion, as others highlighted that it’s saving lives and improving the city.
“All the things that this place has done for the better, it’s going to undo and they’re going to go back downtown,” said Coun. Cory Robin
“This is fact,” added Coun. Andrew Marks.
Timmins’ temporary safe consumption site is set to close at the end of the month and this week, city council debated its importance in tackling the city’s addiction issues. (File)
“I don’t like living in a community that requires one, but I do.”
Mayor Michelle Boileau said she was concerned about the impact of closing the site.
“Without knowing what door they’ll be able to go through, I’m concerned about what their well-being and what the fate of our residents will be,” Boileau said.
First funded by the city, now the local hospital, the site is awaiting a provincial review of safe consumption sites, putting the fate of these facilities in limbo.
The Timmins and District Hospital is also applying for provincial funding to develop an all-in-one complex for mental health and addiction services.
One councillor said that would be the perfect location for a permanent safe consumption site.
Provincial responsibility
“This belongs at a full-service treatment facility, where the person who comes in and accesses the service, and gets a potential referral, just needs to walk down the hall,” said Coun. Steve Black.
Some councillors said the province has a duty to fund safe consumption sites and efforts to deal with the resulting social disorder from their clients.
“This shouldn’t be in my lap,” Marks said.
“I shouldn’t have to deal with this.”
“The provincial government and federal government are failing this issue,” Black said.
This as the city aims to improve safety through its security and outreach projects.
“It’ll be interesting, once we’ve seen a full cycle through the year, to determine whether there has been an impact,” Boileau said.
Black said the future of the city depends on getting this right.
“This is the No. 1 issue we face as a community,” he said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trump delivers rambling response to his hush money conviction
A day after a New York jury delivered a historic guilty verdict in Donald Trump's criminal hush money trial, the presumptive Republican presidential nominee held a press conference Friday where he spoke publicly about the conviction and his White House bid.
Mediterranean diet helps women live much longer, a large new study finds
Women who closely followed a Mediterranean diet lived much longer than those who did not, according to a new study that followed more than 25,000 women for 25 years.
How did Ontario's bankrupt 'Crypto King' travel the world on Scene+ points?
Newly released documents suggest Ontario’s so-called ‘Crypto King’ paid for months of world travels with $13,000 worth of Scene+ points while bankrupt – but how?
'We will go with the majority': Liberals slammed by opposition over proposal to delay next election
The federal Liberal government learned Friday it might have to retreat on a proposal within its electoral reform legislation to delay the next vote by one week, after all opposition parties came out to say they can't support it.
Solutions coming for piled-up bodies outside Newfoundland hospital
Health officials in Newfoundland and Labrador say they are only weeks away from a solution to move unclaimed human remains out of roadside freezers and into a nearby hospital.
Jurors weigh death penalty after finding Chad Daybell guilty of killing his first wife and second wife's 2 children
A day after delivering a guilty verdict in Chad Daybell’s murder trial, an Idaho jury will reconvene Friday to weigh whether he will face the death penalty.
Actor Nick Pasqual charged with attempted murder after allegedly stabbing estranged girlfriend
An actor who has appeared in film and TV projects like 'Rebel Moon' and 'How I Met Your Mother' has been arrested and charged with stabbing his estranged girlfriend multiple times.
'Unprecedented': Human smuggling from B.C. to U.S. soars, using train, Uber and foot
American prosecutors and law enforcement officers say they're dealing with a huge increase in human smuggling from British Columbia.
The northern lights are returning to night skies across Canada this Friday
If you missed the brilliant displays of the aurora borealis over North America on May 10, you may have another chance to see them on Friday night.