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Toronto's board of health overwhelmingly backed a bold new strategy for dealing with the city's chronically addicted drug users setting the stage for a potentially heated debate.
The strategy's 66 recommendations include studying the establishment of safe injection sites similar to those in other cities, handing out pipes to crack addicts and offering council's support of a move to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana.
The board's approval came despite concerns from residents mostly in the downtown area, who fear their communities will become home to safe injection sites. Suzanne Edmonds of the Corktown Residents and Business Association said the strategy has the potential to do more harm than good and create more problems than it solves.
"You will see 'Toronto the Good' become 'Toronto the Weak,'" she said. "We will be a seen as a city that has thrown up its hands and admitted defeat."
She said the city should be focusing on reduction through counseling, detox, rehabilitation and stiff penalties for drug use instead if encouraging its use.
The strategy, championed by downtown Ward 27 Councillor Kyle Rae ( Toronto Centre-Rosedale ) also covers a range of areas beyond that, including emphasizing drug abuse prevention programs in schools and looking at strategies for getting rid of marijuana grow houses.
Dr. Peter Selby of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health called the plan "forward thinking and comprehensive."
Source: Etobicoke Guardian (CN ON)
Copyright: 2005 Etobicoke Guardian
Contact: etg@mirror-guardian.com
Website: https://www.insidetoronto.ca/to/etobicoke/
The strategy's 66 recommendations include studying the establishment of safe injection sites similar to those in other cities, handing out pipes to crack addicts and offering council's support of a move to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of marijuana.
The board's approval came despite concerns from residents mostly in the downtown area, who fear their communities will become home to safe injection sites. Suzanne Edmonds of the Corktown Residents and Business Association said the strategy has the potential to do more harm than good and create more problems than it solves.
"You will see 'Toronto the Good' become 'Toronto the Weak,'" she said. "We will be a seen as a city that has thrown up its hands and admitted defeat."
She said the city should be focusing on reduction through counseling, detox, rehabilitation and stiff penalties for drug use instead if encouraging its use.
The strategy, championed by downtown Ward 27 Councillor Kyle Rae ( Toronto Centre-Rosedale ) also covers a range of areas beyond that, including emphasizing drug abuse prevention programs in schools and looking at strategies for getting rid of marijuana grow houses.
Dr. Peter Selby of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health called the plan "forward thinking and comprehensive."
Source: Etobicoke Guardian (CN ON)
Copyright: 2005 Etobicoke Guardian
Contact: etg@mirror-guardian.com
Website: https://www.insidetoronto.ca/to/etobicoke/
