Man overdosing on illicit drugs (Photo 114951087 © Tinnakorn Jorruang | Dreamstime.com)

By Kevin Rothwell

Update

Vernon councillor denied support for overdose crisis motion

Mar 9, 2021 | 5:00 PM

Update: An effort to gain support for lobby efforts on the overdose crisis in B.C. fell flat at Vernon Council on Monday (March 8).

“I tried really hard to find something I could support in this motion and I can’t,” Coun. Scott Anderson said. “I spent a lot of time on this, I have four pages here, that I won’t subject council too.” Anderson later released the notes to the media.

“So through the much broader lens we as politicians have to adopt, we have to ask higher level questions about the results of policy. We can’t focus on one relatively small group of people within society. So with that in mind, what message will we be sending to the citizens of Vernon if we pass this message? What message will we be sending to front line police officers who we expect to protect us? What message will we be sending to the elderly in Vernon, already under assault from some bad actors? What about home owners facing nightly theft? Parents with kids too afraid to take their kids to the playground because of needles? What message will we be sending to kids?” Anderson stated.

The motion was defeated.

Original: As British Columbia sets new overdose death records to start 2021, a Vernon council member wants action from local government to support efforts to try and stem the overdose crisis.

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Coun. Kelly Fehr will present a notice of motion at Vernon council’s regular meeting today (March 8) looking for support on several fronts.

Among them, Fehr would like to see council get staff to engage in discussions with local health agencies and non-profit organizations that deal with the overdose crisis to explore potential actions Vernon and other local governments could take to help, and to report back to council with options.

The councillor would also council to request the federal government declare the overdose crisis a national public health emergency, and to meet with provinces and territories to develop a comprehensive pan-Canadian overdose action plan.

Fehr will also ask council to voice its support for the provincial government and City of Vancouver’s efforts to decriminalize simple drug possession.

Finally, Fehr requests council write to other municipal councils in the Regional District of North Okanagan, and the RDNO Board, requesting they take similar action.