Governments and nonprofits must restore order for all

HARM REDUCTION FOR NEIGHBOURHOODS: Mayor Ron Woznow says it’s reasonable for everyone to expect safety – whether you use drugs or not – and that comes with some basic rules for behaviour.

Not everyone who has an addiction or is involved in drug dealing or theft wants out.

So says Mayor Ron Woznow, who has been on the boards of drug treatment centres dating back to the 1970s.

“You really need to work with individuals to find out who would like to change,” he said. “For those who would, they need substantial support – treatment for up to a year and a job at the other end.”

Ron is concerned that in Powell River, some of the services available to those who are struggling with their illicit drug use are not effective at helping individuals with addictions and are having a significant negative impact on the community.

Part of government’s role is to help manage the behaviour of those who are living with addiction, he said. And yes, that can mean policing, when their behaviour is criminal, such as theft. But it also means providing skilled front-line workers and clear rules for clients in supportive housing or other programs.

“The key is to have experienced staff who understand the challenges in running an operation that serves people who are struggling,” the Mayor said.

“To do it by half is not good. All of the components need to be done well. For example, LIFT was given the operational procedures to use by BC Housing [for the supportive housing building on Joyce]. They are using an operating procedure which, in my opinion, is dysfunctional and I have explained this to the previous Minister of Housing and the Attorney General.

“I base that on having heard from the neighbours that they are afraid to live in their own home and from residents of supportive housing that are afraid to go home at night.”

Ron suggests that a neighbourhood watch program can minimize the impact of criminal activity on a neighbourhood and he is pleased that the RCMP is restarting this program. The program may be particularly helpful while the provincial and federal governments reform policy to both help people who are suffering (such as new housing and treatment programs), and the neigh- bourhoods that are bearing the result- ing crime (such as revisiting Bill C-75).

He also questions the idea that the current crime wave should be entirelyblamed on drug addiction. Some people have learned to make their living by stealing, he said. And the federal and provincial justice departments have to address this rather than ignore it.

“I think we’ve all seen examples – a hockey or soccer team – where one coach can take the same group of individuals and can turn them into a championship team. What does each member require to develop? It’s the same in a centre – leadership needs to understand each individual.”

“We shouldn’t compromise the potential good of the [supportive housing] building because of concerns about harm.”