What the heck?
The city has proposed housing for people with mental health and addictions. While I support this plan,[housing first strategy] I do not agree with all the locations. How can current City Council allow this Needle dispensary next to two of its locations for housing the addicted with mental health issues. These locations are 437-445 Wesley and 421 Franklyn 1 block away from the new needle dispensary at 375 Franklyn.
I have emailed some council members in regards to this, and received one response. This was new information to this person and was going to bring it up with VIHA Monday. Words like "very valid points!" and "very real concerns!" were in the responding email.
This housing is designed for people with metal health and addiction problems.
While many people would like to help and some are willing to have taxes raised for this program. This Needle Dispensary will be to close for people trying to overcome addiction problems. They would literally have to watch old buddies walk past for clean needles, while avoiding the temptation not to use. I can not support city housing, using tax payers money, to build housing for people with mental health and addictions next to a Needle dispensary.