‘Same thing over and over again’: Calgary groups call for funding, action to tackle opioid-related issues

Four downtown Calgary groups overseeing businesses, neighbourhoods, and harm reduction are coming together to call for action to tackle opioid-related issues in the city.

An open letter released online calls on all levels of government to commit funds to increase the number of supervised consumption sites in Calgary, replace toxic drugs with regulated safer supply, provide drug checking services, supportive housing and employment, and remove profit incentives from these solutions.

The letter was signed by the Beltline Business Improvement Area, the Beltline Neighbourhoods Association, the Crescent Heights Community Association, and EACH+EVERY: Businesses for Harm Reduction.

Euan Thomson, executive director of EACH+EVERY, says several businesses in Calgary’s inner-city neighbourhoods like the Beltline hang signs denying bathroom use and service to people who show signs of drug abuse.

“People are right when they think the signs of inequality in our society are getting more visible,” Thomson said.

“It’s really clear that we’re just trying the same thing over and over again.”

Thomson says Calgary has many neighbourhoods that are seeing open drug use with many unhoused people.

“We can’t force people into addiction treatment, for example, it doesn’t work. We can’t continue to lock people up and play this catch-and-release game,” Thomson explained.

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Adrian Urlacher, executive director of the Beltline Business Improvement Area, says the letter calls for action from those in power.

“What resources do our businesses have to find a quick solution? Is it the police? Is it 311? Is it outreach teams like AAWEAR, Alpha House, or DOAP team?” Urlacher said. “There are so many little options out there but there’s no real clear path to what’s the right answer.”

The City of Calgary told CityNews it needs funding from the federal and provincial governments to improve non-market housing supply.

A statement from Alberta’s new minister of addictions, Nicholas Milliken, says over the next two years the province will invest $124 million into recovery services, including $8 million for harm reduction and outreach teams.

Thomson says a recent move from the government to provide safe drug supply also came with a caveat –- it can only be accessed in licensed clinics.

“Right now the government is continuing to take measures to restrict access,” he said.

From January to July of this year –- there were 884 opioid-related deaths in Alberta –- higher than last year’s record number of deaths in the same timeframe.