Safe consumption sites not the source of gun violence | Springmag.ca
Safe consumption sites not the source of gun violence | Springmag.ca
Safe consumption sites not the source of gun violence
I don't think anyone suggested that it was the source of gun violence.
But they are a source of pretty much all other crimes, needle litter, and a lowering of perceived neighbourhood safety. Alberta put out a study on this, and I'm sure other Provinces have similar data to share.
On the Friday afternoon of July 7, a gunfight took place at the intersection of Queen and Carlaw in Leslieville. Tragically, 44-year-old Karolina Huebner-Makurat was fatally struck by a stray bullet while waiting at the bus stop on Queen Street. The community grieved; however, the conversation quickly moved to a vilification of the consumption and treatment service that is located in South Riverdale Community Health Centre driven in large part due to an article published by the conservative publication the Toronto Sun shortly after the tragedy.
The Toronto Sun did. The Spring article is using a specific factual event to springboard a larger discussion.
Also I'd suggest that the source of those crimes is the opioid crisis, not the various harm reduction strategies employed to fight it.
The Sun is a POS media outlet, so it doesn't surprise me.
I'm not sure if the opioid crisis turns people in litter bugs, or thieves, or prostitutes, but drug addiction causes all kinds of destructive behaviours. Having areas where addicts can interact with each other just sets off a series of bad choices, often leading to crime.
Our municipality has a crime map, and the areas where we have needle drop-off boxes, addiction support, and shelters tend to be lit up with sexual assault, violent crime, robberies, b&e, etc.
Granted, these areas now also have LCBO/Beer Store/Cannabis shops at every corner, so it's all around bad for the community.