Opioids, police, discussed at mayor’s debate
The city’s response to the opioid crisis as well as stalled development projects were among topics that pitted St. Catharines mayoral candidates against each other during Friday’s debate broadcast on CKTB 610 radio.
While candidate Richard Stephens said too little is being done to address drug trafficking in the city, alleging that police are “frustrated by the so-called compassionate city policy,” incumbent Mayor Walter Sendzik described the accusations as “flippant” and an insult to Niagara Regional Police and the agencies that are working to address the issues.
“I go down to Montebello Park first thing in the morning and I can sit there for 10 minutes and I can watch drug deals go down and I can watch junkies shoot up,” Stephens said, during the debate moderated by the radio station’s Niagara in the Morning host Tim Denis. “I feel sorry for the junkies. They need help. But I don’t understand for a minute why we’re tolerating drug dealing in plain sight of anybody who wants to go down and observe it.
“That’s our flagship park, it’s a disgrace what goes on there every morning and I think we need to address the users — the junkies. That’s one issue. But I think we need to get some law and order in this city and we need to get those drug dealers that are dealing in plain sight off the streets.”
Candidate Johnny Tischler suggested dedicating more resources to working with drug users on the streets, to determine the best ways to help.
“I think more statistical data needs to be collected at the street, and after that we can find out what’s best for them and what they would want,” he said.
He suggested giving out personal-sized sharps containers to users, or adding sharps containers in areas where drug use is prevalent.
Although the provincial government has put overdose prevention sites on hold,” I think we do need a couple safe injection sites. I think that’s the place to start,” Tischler added.
Sendzik pointed out that council unanimously supported overdose prevention sites, describing the facilities as “one of the tools in the toolbox” to help with addictions, providing resources and help for people struggling with addiction.
Meanwhile, he said the city is working with other agencies to address the issues, while police “are doing an amazing job.”
“Anyone who sits at the table
and says that they’re turning a blind eye … wrapping it around compassionate city and that’s why they’re not doing it, from the police chief all the way through the rank and file, they are working very hard in trying to address the opioid addiction issue.”
Tunde Soniregun said more should be done to help prevent people from becoming addicted in the first place.
Meanwhile, he said too stressed the urgent need for overdose prevention sites, for the safety of users as well as the community in general. Despite his comments concerning the police, Stephens described himself as a “law and order candidate” who supports police. Nevertheless, he pointed out that people can observe drug dealing happening right in front of their eyes, and there are no police to be found.”
“I‘m told that police are frustrated,” Stephens said. “They’ve lost faith in city hall. That’s the answer I’m getting. I don’t know if it’s true, but I don’t have any other explanation for why we tolerate drug dealing right in the heart of the city. … The problems getting worse, not better so I don’t care what the mayor says, he’s not effectively dealing with it.”