P.A. letter writer asks for mandatory drug rehab for chronic offenders

“In what in any other city on the continent would be a jewel of their community, our riverfront and downtown core has been allowed to deteriorate into what can only be described as an abject embarrassment, and most of the rest of the city appears to be well on its way to following suit,” wrote Warner.

He proposed the province pay for a test centre on the outskirts of Prince Albert that would house people otherwise unwilling to work on their addictions or mental health issues.

A report compiled 11 years ago for Prince Albert showed the 25 heaviest users of services including nights in police cells, other policing costs, detox stays, E.R. visit and ambulance costs were $3.8 million over the three years the Community Mobilization Prince Albert study was done.

That would be almost exactly $5 million in 2024.

The cases in the study were the 25 people who had the highest rates of incarceration for public intoxication and used services heavily.

Coun. Tony Head said he would like to see what the increased costs are now but added he doesn’t think they would be all that different. Warner suggested the city and residents start pushing the province for some tangible action, like a centre.

“We’ve been saying this for years now,” Head stated. “It doesn’t fall on deaf ears. We have been advocating ourselves, as this body, to our government partners and we will continue to do so.”

His comments were supported by Coun. Blake Edwards, who said treatment has been mandated for criminals in the court system who have an alcohol addiction.

“He talks about in the letter involuntary apprehension and treatment of those persons who require it for treatment and addictions issues. Well, it’s long overdue. It’s time that someone stood up and said we need mandated treatment,” Edwards said.

Edwards also agreed with Warner’s points that while society should take care of people living on the streets to the point of providing emergency shelter, the rights of other citizens also matter.

“…it is important to recognize that one person’s rights must terminate where they impede on the rights of others. And while it is important to also protect the rights of minorities, these few people, who are sadly not in control of their mental faculties and/or social appetites, are trampling the rights of the entirety of our community to enjoy the amenities of what was once named the third most desirable city in the country to live in,” wrote Warner.

Edwards, who is a parole officer, said the problems in Prince Albert are mainly being caused by the same 100 offenders.

“Each city is similar — a small amount of the population. Let’s deal with it. Let’s deal with the people that are causing these issues because, guess what, other residents have rights too,” Edwards said.

Coun. Charlene Miller said much of the issue is not homeless people, rather gangs and associated homes.

She knows of several in her ward that have been an ongoing issue that is not being resolved and suggested posting the addresses online might be an option.

“Come and get your lawnmower, come and get your stolen goods because this is where they are. I know where they’re going. I see where they’re going but yet no one wants to do anything about it,” she said.

Council has been trying to find ways for years to have more done to combat the issue of homelessness/encampments and gang activity and has asked the federal government and the province to meet. So far, only the province has agree to meet and has agreed to fund a permanent shelter for homeless people in Prince Albert.

The YWCA is looking for a suitable location but has not made any announcements as of yet.

—

susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com

by Susan McNeil

P.A. letter writer asks for mandatory drug rehab for chronic offenders

What's Trending