Lethbridge a dumping ground

By Letter to the Editor on September 9, 2021.

Editor:
As our group sat and discussed the current state of Lethbridge streets, we all agreed it is now the dumping ground for other cities and communities.
Last September, we all had a sigh of relief: the SCS was finally closed with 56 fatal overdoses to date.
For several months we saw a decrease in fatal overdoses and addicts on our streets, then we all noticed increased numbers on our streets as well as a change in the demographics, in the last few months with more non-Indigenous.
We observed illegal sites for using drugs increase, including one in an organization’s lower lever that is supposed to be a safe haven for women, but now we have witnessed men and women coming and going, carrying paraphernalia and Naloxone kits.
An increase of fatal overdoses increased nationwide as COVID restrictions cut off drug supplies and CERB got into the hands of addicts, seeing a rise in numbers.
In Lethbridge, we also saw the increase, but it wasn’t just from COVID! Shelters began dumping their overflow on Lethbridge and illegal consumption sites popped up in areas, giving more access to drug paraphernalia and sending a message it is alright to do drugs, we got your back, while lacking any counselling services to get them off the streets, sending the word around the province that we are once again providing all the services needed to enjoy their addiction.
We saw decreases when the SCS closed, we saw a decrease in crime, but now we are a dumping ground thanks to our Alpha House and other outside organizations collaborating and taking their overflow.
Then, they want to increase their size, saying there is a need?
The illegal consumption sites and these outside organizations are destroying any hope we have of cleaning up our streets by bringing the other major cities problems here!
They have no respect for council, our citizens or for the addicts, for that matter, as they shuffle them around like cattle, taking them away from friends and family, sending them to a shelter in Lethbridge that many state has gangs that harass them and that drugs flow like water!
If these shelters are going to come in and disrespect taxpayers, they should be shut down.
When people die after leaving an illegal drug site, criminal charges should be laid against the illegal operators! We have a choice!
Barry Ewing
Lethbridge