Woman’s death prompts call for better services

A spokesperson for Prince Albert Outreach said they tried very hard to help Monica Burns.

The young mother was found dead Saturday afternoon. Her body was left lying on a snowmobile trail, northwest of Prince Albert.

Jamie Petit with Prince Albert Outreach said they had frequent contact with Monica Burns. Petit told paNOW that Burns was battling addictions issues and was reaching out for help.

“She was interested in getting into detox. They need to have an open bed and if there’s no open bed, you can’t get in. We had tried, she had tried many times,” said Petit. “If there’s not an open bed, they tell you to phone the next day and sometimes that window of opportunity is just so small.”

Petit said there needs to be more services available in the city to help assist people dealing with addictions issues. She said there needs to be an open bed available and she also suggests other solutions might include temporary housing or a mentor home where the women can learn new skills to get them off the streets.

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RCMP have said Burns was a sex trade worker.

Petit understands why RCMP released the controversial detail, as a means to help with the investigation, but she doesn’t agree that the detail was necessary.

“She[Monica] was a person and she was a very nice young lady,you know, that had some addictions.  I don’t believe that needed to be said because she wasn’t a sex trade worker, she was feeding her addiction,” said Petit.

Petit said the average age for women who choose to work the streets in Prince Albert, can range from a teenager to older adults. She said many of the women work the streets to feed their addictions, and not because it’s something they want to do.

The RCMP investigation into Burns’s death continues. The autopsy is complete however RCMP have not released the results.

The funeral for Burns will be held Friday at Sturgeon Lake.

nmaxwell@rawlco.com

On Twitter: @nigelmaxwell