Consumption Site Motion

At the July 28 meeting of Council, I tabled a motion "That Council formally request Island Health to close the supervised drug consumption site at 250 Albert Street, and put future efforts toward drug free treatment facilities." This on the heels of growing frustration by citizens and city staff about increasing public disorder caused by those on our streets with serious mental health problems caused by drug addictions. My intent was to send a message to the province to look at current policy of how we're dealing with drugs on our streets - condoning and supplying, rather than treatment and rehabilitation. This is a topic which people feel strongly about, and Council had some debate - then deferred the motion to a future meeting in September to gather more information. It is what I expected, but will continue to push for an end to decriminalization and enabling drug usage - policy which is not helping those with addictions or the neighbourhoods they inhabit.