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So hopeful to hear that Barrie is closer to a “safe injection site” and disappointed to see that a developer is considering opting out of downtown Barrie. It’s in their best interests to be part of a solution; to understand that a site contributes to the community and contributes to their financial investment in the area.
I am not sure what people are expecting here...drug use is a reality. If it's a reality then where do you think it will happen? Behind closed doors would be ideal; behind closed supervised doors even better.
It is not a question of N.I.M.B.Y. (Not In My BackYard) anymore; it is a question of “not in my front yard.” I don't know if it’s an increase in use, lack of housing...most assuredly, the pandemic.
With every wave and lockdown it has become increasingly out in the open. Before it was somewhat hidden behind the stores, in city parking lots, public access ways. Without a safe injection site, it will literally be in your front yard. It is happening on the main street in Orillia now, too. There has been a shift; either it is more prevalent or more “out in the open” or both.
And to push aside the “classism”; the soccer moms or the business person you see on the posters at the methadone clinics are also using. But they have the luxury to do it behind “closed” doors.
It will be happening within your development’s walls also; amongst your residents/renters/owners and it will be beyond your scope as a developer to do anything about that.
Those will be the people who will slip away because they are using alone. And if this pandemic or discovery of genocidal grounds in Kamloops is anything; we are not rating human lives here. An addict’s life is still someone’s child, partner, parent, sibling...even if it happens out on the street.
I implore everyone; a safe injection site is a good thing. This is a caring move. If you want to be selfish and think of yourself...this will at least help alleviate the trauma of witnessing using and overdoses in public; something that you can’t help but come upon.
This will also help mitigate and prevent trips to hospital emergency departments. Haven’t our health-care workers been through enough? And if this is what some people need to hear, it will “save” money in the long run.
Think of the province’s health-care response to the pandemic; you know this provincial government doesn't care about the elderly or kids.
Their investment in the old is done and the investment in children has just begun. If it’s young adults using, then as a society, we are not getting the return for our investment. We’ve put money into their education, with no one reaping from them being gainfully employed and paying taxes.
We want them healthy and contributing members of society, right? We all need this. There is a path forward to managing it and part of that is with a safe injection site.
Ellen Wolper
Orillia
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