The city of Belleville, Ont., is facing a severe opioid crisis that has claimed several lives and overwhelmed its first responders. In response, the city has proposed a health and social services hub that would offer addiction and mental health support, as well as housing and employment assistance. However, the province has not committed to funding the project, and has asked for a business plan and a costing estimate before moving forward.
City declares state of emergency after 23 overdoses in two days
The situation in Belleville reached a critical point earlier this month, when police reported 13 overdoses in a matter of hours on Feb. 6, followed by 10 more on Feb. 8. The city declared a state of emergency and an addiction emergency, and warned the public about the presence of a deadly drug cocktail that included an opioid, a benzodiazepine, and xylazine, a veterinary tranquilizer. Naloxone, the antidote for opioid overdoses, is ineffective against the other two substances.
Mayor Neil Ellis said the city has been struggling with the opioid crisis for years, and has seen a surge in homelessness, poverty, and mental health issues as a result. He said the city needs urgent action from the provincial government to address the root causes of the problem, and not just the symptoms.
City proposes health and social services hub as a solution
The city has already invested $2 million toward turning a former banquet hall into a space that would provide a range of services for people affected by addiction and mental health challenges. The project, dubbed The Bridge, would include a detox centre, a supervised consumption site, a drop-in centre, a shelter, a food bank, a clothing bank, a laundry facility, a medical clinic, a pharmacy, a counselling centre, a legal clinic, an employment centre, and a housing centre.
The city has asked the province to match its investment and provide $2 million to help kick-start the construction and operation of the hub. Ellis said the hub would be a one-stop shop for people who need help, and would save lives, reduce crime, and improve the quality of life in the community.
Province asks for business plan and costing estimate before funding
However, the province has not agreed to the city’s request, and has instead asked for a business plan and a costing estimate before considering the funding. Todd Smith, the Progressive Conservative MPP for the area and the minister of children, community and social services, said he toured the proposed site over the weekend, but he needs more details before going to the Treasury Board.
“I can’t go into [the] Treasury Board and just say I need two million bucks,” Smith told The Canadian Press. “There has to be a costing estimate, there has to be a business plan around that, and so that’s what the organizations involved are working to do right now.”
The province has provided some one-time funding to increase the staffing and presence of first responders and outreach workers in the downtown area, as well as to support the local Canadian Mental Health Association office. The province has also asked the city to work on a mental health and addictions strategy that would outline the needs and gaps in the region.
City not satisfied with provincial response, plans to go it alone
The mayor said he was disappointed and frustrated with the provincial response, and said the city cannot afford to wait for the bureaucracy to catch up with the reality on the ground. He said the city will look at funding the rest of the project on its own, and hopes to have it up and running by December this year.
“We can’t wait a month, we can’t wait three months,” Ellis said. “We need to get proper services.”
He said the city has the support of the local police, paramedics, health unit, hospital, and community organizations, as well as the federal government, which has pledged $1.5 million for the supervised consumption site. He said the city is determined to make the hub a reality, with or without the province’s help.
“We’re not giving up,” he said. “We’re going to continue to fight for our community.”
