The Watch plays role in dealing with city’s issues

By Lethbridge Herald on November 7, 2024.

Jeff Turcotte and Rylie Slobodan of The Watch walk by the downtown transit terminal on Thursday afternoon. Herald photo by Al Beeber

Toyin Obatusin – LETHBRIDGE HERALD – Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The fact there is a drug and homelessness crisis in the city of Lethbridge does not come as a surprise to most Lethbridgians.

 There have been concerns about the safety of the downtown region of Lethbridge for years, and its surrounding areas due to a lack of community support.

 It can’t be assumed that the City of Lethbridge is at fault, but there can be an assumption that there may be a need for honest information circulating on how the issue at hand can be resolved. The expectation is to be well versed on the problem, as well as have knowledge of the steps recommended to solve it. 

Addiction is defined as a chronic, relapsing disorder characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use despite adverse consequences. It is considered a brain disorder, because it involves functional changes to brain circuits involved in reward, stress, and self-control. People with addiction lose control over their actions. They crave and seek out drugs, alcohol, or other substances no matter what the cost- even at the risk of damaging friendships, hurting families, or losing jobs.”

The Watch,  which consists of full- and part-time employees as well as volunteers who pledge to “Observe and Serve” as part of an initiative created by the Lethbridge Police Service (LPS) has the objective of enhancing the community as a safe and friendly place. 

Shane Kissinger, manager of The Watch, says the recruiting process is a lengthy one which could take between one to four months with background checks needing to be conducted. 

The Watch recruited 14 volunteers last year and now has a total of 28 along with three full-time staff called Team Leads. A number of volunteers end up moving along to become community peace officers or police officers.

Volunteers chosen to serve in the Watch are provided with emergency First Aid training, including the administration of the nasal opioid overdose treatment Narcan. As a volunteer, Watch members become the eyes and ears of social and community service agencies, and emergency service providers which then connects volunteers with local public and private support agencies and organizations. 

According to downtownlethbridge.com operated by the Downtown Lethbridge Business Revitalization Zone, Lethbridge Police service created this organization as a means to “provide an additional layer of safety to citizens by offering services such as safe walks,connecting vulnerable citizens to resources and discouraging negative use through public visibility, de-escalation tactics and real-time communication to necessary emergency services.”

Earlier this year, The Watch celebrated its fifth anniversary of operation. From the inception of The Watch in 2019 until early summer, volunteers had completed almost the equivalent of 19,000 volunteer hours and assisted in almost 32,000 events.

Opioids, being a very strong form of a painkiller, are universally known to be addictive. This drug can be injected, snorted, or smoked. The natural intake of such drugs is by oral consumption. 

Statistics show that between January and June of 2024, there were 32 fatal drug-related poisonings reported in Lethbridge. 

Tolerance for the drug is based on age, sex, weight, past medical or mental health conditions, the amount being consumed and if people are combining intake with other uncontrolled substances such as alcohol.

The effects of the opioids are designed to cause dependence when the substance is used over an extended period of time which builds tolerance. Opioid intake triggers a release of endorphins, and tells the brain that the person feels good, and allows for an easement of pain.

 Research shows that it’s easy to build a tolerance and begin to crave a higher dose of the pain reliever. Genetics and the environment that someone to whom may be susceptible to addiction, reside in, may play a role in the level the addiction can rise to. 

Statistics show that people in their early 20s and early teens, people with a history of substance abuse in their families and those with high stress levels, as well as those who have a history of issues with the public, depression, often have a greater chance of becoming addicted to the drug.