Injection site can’t become permanent

In 1990, I moved from the country to Clarence Street and instead of watching squirrels and other wildlife outside my window, I started watching hookers. A lot of picketing and politicking reduced that problem, but in the early 2000s crack smokers moved in and that’s when residents started gating their driveways.

Eventually that problem died out and during the last 10 years, things have gradually improved.

The opening of the injection clinic on Clarence Street quickly set things back. In the last few days, I’ve seen people barely able to walk and seemingly unaware of their environment.

I’ve seen people urinating on doorsteps in daylight.

And I’ve seen the return of the dealers to “a business-rich environment.” They sell not only to users of the clinic but those who come here to buy and use on the street. Paradoxically, public injections seem to have increased since the clinic opened.

This major decrease in residents’ quality of life can be tolerated only if the clinic is temporary but that seems unlikely.

The board wants approval from the federal government “to possibly make it permanent” and “to secure funding from the province should it be turned into a permanent facility.”

Not good news for a residential street populated by families with kids and old people like me. I’m getting too old to confront dealers or enthusiastic proponents of harm reduction with no concern for the rights and privileges of the residents.

A response to the opioid crisis is clearly necessary but any response must consider the impact on our community.

One person’s harm reduction need not become another person’s harm promotion. Pierre St Jean, Ottawa