MLAs weigh in on supervised consumption

By Gillian Slade on January 24, 2019.

gslade@medicinehatnews.com @MHNGillianSlade

Medicine Hat MLA Bob Wanner says the location of a supervised consumption site is within the city’s jurisdiction, and widening the scope of addressing drug addiction is something the local member of parliament should advocate for.

MP Glen Motz advocated Tuesday for the provincial government to not only fund a site but give Medicine Hat $4-6 million to address prevention aspects of drug addiction.

“I hope that Glen, on those issues, really advocates at the federal level that we as a country and as a province and a community not to stop here. This (site) is not the single answer … it addresses the immediate emergency,” Wanner said. “It is not just a provincial matter, it cuts across all government levels and we need to find a way to work together to solve that.”

Cypress-Medicine Hat MLA Drew Barnes says a range of measures need to be put in place by the provincial government, starting with stiffer penalties for drug dealers.

“We need to have meaningful penalties for those who are perpetuating this,” said Barnes.

Wanner says he does not recall being consulted by the health ministry regarding the local supervised consumption site, nor any discussion about a clause restricting how close they could be to private residences.

“I was not involved or informed of any of those details and appropriately so,” said Wanner, noting the choice of site had to be in compliance with the city bylaw. “The planning legislation that exists in the community, the policy if you will, was that that criteria is already anticipated in the old land-use bylaw by the city.”

But, says Mayor Ted Clugston, the city did not decide to have a site, nor does it call the shots.

“If we were to attempt to block it in some way there would be an order from the minister of health basically saying we’re out of order and they could put it anywhere they want,” said Clugston earlier this week.

Wanner believes there was considerable discussion between the city and HIV Community Link about a range of sites.

“And the question goes back to the policy, the plan, that approved that piece of land, any for that matter, I would assume there was some component in that policy that did address that question,” said Wanner.

According to information provided by the city, a supervised consumption site is defined as a health-care office, and the address at 502 S. Railway is zoned for mixed use, which includes medical offices.

Barnes says the provincial government should have discussed the idea of supervised consumption with elected officials and been open to feedback limiting proximity to peoples’ homes.

“It also would have been a way to discuss with our Crown prosecutors and police what their bottlenecks are,” said Barnes. “Instead we see a provincial government forcing something in and people are unsure of the effectiveness of the outcome.”

Barnes said he was notified by HIV Community Link about the establishment of the site in Medicine Hat, but does not believe residents of Medicine Hat have been adequately consulted.

“To get ongoing support you need consultation and buy-in from elected representatives and citizens,” said Barnes.

Wanner said he believes a significant community consultation took place with HIV Community Link distributing about 6,000 messages on social media and brochures.

For those who have been impacted by drug addiction the site is one part, but a big part, of addressing the issue, he said.

Barnes says the UCP does not have a policy on the future of safe consumption sites.

21
-20

Comments are closed.