Lacking Services in Nanaimo

[KittenFace]

What services do u think Nanaimo is lacking?

[RelaxedIslander]

Nanaimo is severely lacking in drug counselling services. Rehab centers would be a great step, of course we have Edgewood, but it's expensive and not for the regular joe with a drug problem.

I also think Nanaimo is behind the times when it comes to bus service. There are a few routes that should run later, to at least give some people that work late a chance to get part way home. A couple of the main routes and especially the college area should be open later. There are many people who cannot afford cars, or cabs, and have no other way to get home after a late shift at work.

[Rickj]

I agree with RelaxedIslander in that drug counselling is lacking especially with the closure of such programs as ADAPT. It is a shame that the City gets $3million+ from the Casino and they dedicate precious little of this to any sort of addiction counselling.

As for buses it is an issue of density. The neighbourhoods here in Nanaimo do not have enough people to warrant increased bus service or make it viable. Until this Council truly puts its money where its mouth is and densifies existing neighbourhoods rather than spreading the city out further buses will not be viable in any volume.

[Jingles]

1) Glass pick-up with curbside recycling

2) Styrofoam recycling

3) A tasty gelato place downtown

4) Yoga classes in the summertime that are not hot yoga =)

[Smokey©]

There are other alternatives to the Drug problem then Edgewood. There are over 6 rehab places within the City and over 10 within our regional district. Some are privately run, such as Edgewood and some are run by Native Communities and other public organizations.

The druggies need to want the solution to their problem or it is like placing gum on the backs of $50 bills and throwing them against a wall and hoping that some stick.

Until the druggies WANT help we can't do anything for them that will stop them from using their drugs. Into rehab and within a day of being out, MOST of them are hanging onto their buddies or doing other services for a quick fix.

[queen of the waterfront]

I agree with you Smokey, for the most part.

Most druggies dont want to quit until they lose their spouse, their children, their jobs, their homes.Some turn to stealing , some to other terrible things.

I have spent many years on the street from Vancouver to Calgary and other places. One of two things has to happen . They either die or hit bottom.

The only way the addict will hit bottom is when their family and friends stop helping them and feeling sorry for them or wondering if maybe they are to blame.

Dont feed them . clothe them or give them shelter no matter how much you love them. Never give them a cell phone.

If they choose to go to rehab give them all the support you can. Lead them to groups that will help after that.

i dont believe there are enough resources in Nanaimo for drug addicts. i know of a number of people who wanted to quit and could not get onto a program.
Nanaimo doesnt have enough councelling services for families or for peoplewith depression either.

A lot of addictive behaviors have their root in the past. Are we doing enough to help the poor when they are children?
Are we creating families that stay together neighborhoods that help one another?
Or cities that put people before profit?

[bamb00]

Nanaimo lacks night life other than the boring bar scenes. Again, it is the issue of density and financial capabilities.

[RyanCoffey]

After 7 years of living around the country and the globe, I came back to Nanaimo because I love it here. But I always have and still do feel that our public transportation is lacking. When I was in college it was madness trying to live by the bus schedules, I evnetually ended up only living in places that were in walking distance of the college.

I have a car these days, but once in a blue moon I need to take the bus and it really seems that things haven't changed. The buses are often not punctual and the waits between them are far too long.

I wonder if they really need the buses to be as large as they are. I wonder if it would be possible to buy smaller buses so they could cut the costs of running each bus (I'm mainly talking about gas money here) and thus use the savings to run a few more buses more often. I don't think I've ever seen one of the current buses even close to full.

As gas prices are so high and as people are trying to be more green there has been and will certainly continue to be an increase in demand for the services. I just want to see it more easily available.

I think it's also worth mentioning that buses are not just for locals. Visitors to our town also ride them sometimes, as do people who have just moved here from other countries who are having enough challenges adjusting without the additional challenge of getting around this weird new place. (Trust me, this is harder on people than you think unless you've done it.)
I think that making getting around easy is welcoming in a way.

[Rickj]

Good comments Ryan,

Just a note on the feasibility of a smaller bus...

You have a bit of savings on the gas side but most of the other costs would still be approximately the same.. ie labour, repairs, insurance etc.

One other problem is that the bus system currently has a large investment in these bigger buses and it is likely cheaper to keep these going for now rather than replacing them with newer more expensive technology.

Lastly, if the City gets around to densifying neighbourhoods then the demand for transit should increase and then the larger buses will be required.

[ebusinesstutor]

There is a serious lack of late night coffee shops available.

Only fast food places and Starbucks - and I don't like Starbucks coffee.