Erratic behaviour by drug users a concern
BUSINESSES DISCUSS CONCERNS AT CHAMBER EVENT
“Erratic” behaviour stemming from drug use is a primary concern of businesses in the downtown core and area surrounding the supervised consumption site, according to the results from discussions held by the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce.
On Tuesday, the chamber held discussions in the Theatre Gallery of the Lethbridge Public Library downtown branch for businesses to convey their concerns.
Karla Pyrch, executive director for the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce, said this is the latest in a number of ways the chamber has been involved in the opioid crisis.
“The chamber engaged with the City and ARCHES earlier in the year about programs being provided and what they have been doing to provide safety in our city,” she said. “We’ve had a response back from businesses saying, ‘We want the opportunity to speak about our experience.’”
She said the chamber has been trying to identify core issues and ways to help businesses adapt.
Pyrch noted information collected seemed to be less about violent behaviour and more toward debris and erratic behaviour.
“That causes some intimidation,” Pyrch said. “(We are) looking at how they can build that and still build their business and attract people into their businesses.”
The intent was to gather specific feedback on a variety of issues, including how the crisis has or has not had an effect on businesses, how frequently there has been evidence of drug use near businesses, what stakeholders do with evidence, and the response received when help was requested.
Organizers were also looking for accommodations made by businesses as a result, whether it be additional training or safety measures, and recommendations for solutions to the issues.
Most of the business stakeholders involved in the discussion were either downtown stores or are operating in stores around the safe consumption site. Others had multiple locations around the city and said they were not immune to the issue in their other locations.
The chamber is running a business survey on their website in order to collect more information on the issue. For more information, visit
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lethbridgechamber.com.