Addiction, mental health root of drug issues

When a drug dealer is taken off the street, someone else inevitably takes their place.

Project Runway, a months-long investigation that netted the core and leader of a high-risk, local, Greater Toronto Area-supplied group known as the Ugly Crew nearly one year ago, was no exception to that reality, according to city police.

“There is always someone willing to come to the community and pick up where they left off,” city police Insp. Larry Charmley said. “It just seems to be a revolving door, unfortunately.”

Project Runway, which saw a list of drug and weapons-related charges laid on Dec. 15, 2016, was also no different than other efforts in that sentences dished out are too short, Charmley said, pointing out how that allows people to go back to criminal behaviour.

Of the 15 individuals charged, 12 have been dealt with and three cases remain before the courts, the inspector said Monday.

Charges against several of the co-accused were withdrawn and some stayed as they became Crown witnesses against the others, Charmley said.

In discussing the impact of the project, the inspector pointed out how drug and alcohol addiction and mental health issues are consistently at the root of matters.

Unfortunately, officers are seeing more addicts that didn’t choose that path than who did – often forcing them to turn to crime, Charmley said. “Now, it’s really taken over their life.”

The reality is, as long as there is a demand, there will be a market for illegal drugs – no matter where they come from.

Charmely pointed out that when organized crime is involved, more work is required on behalf of investigators because those groups are so aware of police tactics.

The bigger issue of late, however, is contamination. Users are taking drugs without knowing what may be in them – a game of Russian roulette where they are willing to take a chance because they are motivated by their addiction.

The epidemic has led to a spike in deaths related to drug overdoses, Charmley said.

The overdose drug naloxone – which is now being carried by front line police officers – is, however, helping save lives.

By the end of August, local paramedics had responded to 175 overdoses and, as a last resort, administered naloxone 24 times.

A study revealed earlier this year that the city and county had the fourth highest rate of opioid related deaths in Ontario.

Peterborough had an annualized rate of 9.2 opioid deaths per 100,000 people. The outcome was based on 39 opioid-related deaths between July 2013 and June 2016.

The information stems from the new Ontario Drug Policy Research Network study that compared all 36 public health units.

What’s promising is that the province has indicated others, including firefighters, will also eventually carry the opioid overdose antidote, Charmley said.