Concerned residents gathered in Galt Friday night to voice their worries about a planned safe injection site in Cambridge.
About 100 people, including both protesters and supporters, showed up outside the Region of Waterloo Public Health building at 150 Main Street. This spot is one of two recommended for the city’s potential supervised injection sites.
“There’s a school right across the street and I’m about to become a mom. I wouldn’t want my kids going to school next to an open area where drug use is allowed,” said Kolby Thompson-Latimer. (Jackie Sharkey/CBC)
Kolby, who is visibly pregnant and held a sign that read “I want my baby to grow up in the safe Cambridge that I did,” said things have changed in Galt since her teenage years-and not for the better.
“My concern with downtown safety is that having a safe injection site will just attract more drug users here. It’s not somewhere they can live or get help; it’s just a place for them to use, then go back onto the streets, making non-users feel unsafe.”
“I’m okay with needle exchanges because they keep needles off the streets,” Thompson-Latimer admitted. “But I don’t agree with taxpayers funding a place for people to do something illegal.”
Discarded needles have been an ongoing issue in Cambridge, which Colleen Nolan says must stop. She doesn’t want her 14-year-old daughter walking around Churchill Park worrying about stepping on used needles.
“There should be those orange disposal boxes on every corner so people can throw away their own needles.”
Colleen Nolan pointed out there are needles “everywhere” near her home in Churchill Park and she’s uneasy about her teenage daughter encountering used syringes that could be dangerous. (Jackie Sharkey/CBC)
Nolan also feels there’s uneven enforcement when it comes to public substance use, saying alcohol laws are stricter than those for drugs.
“If I’m walking down the street drinking, I’d get arrested. But if someone’s high as a kite on drugs, they say there’s nothing they can do. That really bothers me.”
“So if they’re okay with a safe injection site but then allow people to stumble around downtown high, I disagree with that approach. There should be rehab centers or something where folks can get help-but since waitlists are so long, many give up before they even get started.”
‘Right idea, wrong location,’ said Brad Thompson. He prefers public funds go towards rehab centers instead of safe injection sites. (Jackie Sharkey/CBC)
A lot of protesters like Brad Thompson from Westriver Road think addiction services and rehab facilities make more sense than setting up safe injection sites.
He says something needs doing but doesn’t believe taxpayer money should support illegal activities.
“Why would you enable breaking the law?” he asked. “Sure, enabling might lead some to rehab but only if they actually want it.”
“It’s right intention but wrong spot,” Thompson added. “This city has struggled for decades-I’ve lived here all my life-and over 40 years we’ve tried hard but failed to bounce back from economic setbacks and development moving outside downtown-the heart of our city is fading.”
“Putting an injection site where businesses want to grow just doesn’t make sense.” He knows two business owners planning to shut down because of this proposal.
“It’s really sad,” he said.
Gabrielle Bennett feels caught between both sides on this issue.
“We have lots of great local business owners and we want more coming here-but this kind of thing gives off bad vibes.. Still, saving lives is what matters most and spending tax dollars on that seems worth it.”
The suggested location at 150 Main St., though close by Ainslie Street bus terminal and within walking distance of Central Public School at 175 Main St., raises concerns according to Bennett.
“I understand why young families worry-kids passing through this area will be exposed to stuff that doesn’t belong around early childhood.”
On the other side near Waterloo Region Public Health’s entrance on Main Street stood nearly as many counter-protesters including Shannon Downey-a current drug user who founded the Cambridge Harm Reduction Alliance.
“I’m here mainly so current and former drug users have a voice,” said Downey who is trying hard to quit cocaine.
“I still struggle sometimes-with relapse or using now-but I’m working toward connecting with help.. even while still using.”
Dawney worries protesters nearby don’t fully understand all evidence related to these sites.
“They haven’t looked closely enough at research,” she explained. “Safe Injection Sites work-they’ve been operating successfully in Vancouver almost two decades now.”
The location makes perfect sense too: while near schools it’s also home base for Waterloo Region Public Health’s Cambridge branch plus very close by mental health services already exist there.
“It builds upon existing supports-meeting folks exactly where they are during addiction or recovery-and connects them easily within seconds’ walk to addictions counselling-that’s why putting it here works best,” she said.
Dawney also expressed concern about needles littering public spaces-that prompted her founding the alliance and fuels her desire quitting cocaine herself.
“Being out among people made me realize ‘you gotta clean up your act-you’re spiraling downward-it could get way worse.’”
A new round of community consultations will happen before any final decision gets made about locations.
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