In response to a letter from the City of Kamloops, City of Powell River will be asking the Government of Canada to address the overdose crisis.
At the February 4 city council meeting, councillor Maggie Hathaway said the crisis is worsening and not improving.
Hathaway said Kamloops had provided a lengthy motion to write to the federal government and suggested she would like to introduce a shorter motion and that Powell River send a letter.
Hathaway introduced a motion that Powell River request the Government of Canada declare the overdose crisis a national public health emergency and fund it appropriately. Additionally, the motion requests the federal government to seek input from people most affected by this crisis and meet with provinces and territories to develop a comprehensive, pan-Canadian overdose action plan. The plan would include comprehensive supports and full consideration of reforms other countries have used to significantly reduce drug-related fatalities and stigma, such as legal regulation of illicit drugs to ensure safe supply of pharmaceutical alternatives to toxic street drugs and decriminalization for personal use.
Councillor Cindy Elliott said having sat on a committee and educated herself about what is happening here in BC, and the numbers associated with the crisis here, she has no doubt that part of the solution is safe supply.
“It makes imminent sense,” said Elliott. “The federal government has a role in that and I support the motion.”
Hathaway said other jurisdictions such as Portugal have decriminalized personal use and reduced fatalities.
“It’s outrageous what’s happening and we need to take some strong action,” said Hathaway. “This crisis is every bit as serious as the pandemic and we’re not doing much out of Ottawa. I’m totally supportive of us sending a letter.”
Councillor Rob Southcott said seeing the situation firsthand, up close, for many years, both in City of Vancouver and Powell River, in his capacity as a paramedic, he has thought about it a lot.
“I see this as a crisis of humanity and like councillor Hathaway, I think it needs to be handled at a very central level, which is the federal government’s mandate,” said Southcott. “I support this more than wholeheartedly.”
Council unanimously carried the motion to send the letter to the federal government.
