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Searching for a Drug Strategy:
Seeking a response to substance-related harms
and the overdose crisis May 2024
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Dan SmithDirector - Fire and Emergency Services / Fire Chief for the City of Belleville, Ontario
As Director of Fire and Emergency Services / Fire Chief for the City of Belleville, Dan has over 20 years invested in providing public. Dan is a member of the City of Belleville’s Executive Management Team with a portfolio that includes fire services and emergency management.
Throughout his career, Dan has worked within the private and nuclear industries as well as in municipalities of varying sizes across the province. Chief Smith has been taken on the role of incident commander and/or senior advisor for numerous large scale events including natural disasters, large fire events, mass motor vehicle incidents, the response to COVID 19 and the recent homelessness, addiction and mental health crisis in Belleville. |
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On May 30, 2024, a town hall meeting was held to address the escalating opioid crisis and discuss comprehensive strategies involving prevention, treatment, harm reduction, and enforcement. The event featured several distinguished speakers who provided insights based on their expertise and experiences in various aspects of drug policy and public health.
Dan Smith provided an overview of Belleville's response to the opioid crisis, explaining the rationale behind declaring a state of emergency. The declaration was aimed at securing provincial support to address the strain on local resources and to establish a new social services facility and a local detox center. The province committed verbally to invest in a continuum of care, recognizing the need for comprehensive solutions. This town hall underscored the complexity of the opioid crisis and the necessity of a multifaceted approach involving prevention, harm reduction, treatment, and enforcement. The speakers collectively advocated for evidence-based strategies, comprehensive care, and collaborative efforts to effectively address the crisis and support affected individuals and communities. |
All Featured Speakers: |
Presentation
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Belleville’s Opioid Crisis
- Crisis Declaration: Belleville declared a state of emergency due to escalating homelessness, mental health issues, and drug overdoses, straining local resources.
- Provincial Support: The city requested provincial assistance for a new social services facility and a local detox centre.
- Continuum of Care: The province committed verbally to invest in a continuum of care, including detox facilities and transitional housing, recognizing the need for comprehensive solutions.
Dan Smith provides an overview of Belleville's response to the opioid crisis, which led to the declaration of a state of emergency. The declaration, made on February 8th, was prompted by a worsening situation characterized by increasing homelessness, mental health issues, and drug overdoses. Belleville's emergency was widely covered by local, provincial, and national media, highlighting the severity of the crisis.
Smith explains the factors behind the declaration, including the overextension of local resources, the need for provincial support, and significant public and media attention. He emphasizes that the emergency was declared to address the strain on municipal services and to secure additional resources from the province.
The declaration followed a checklist from Emergency Management Ontario, with Belleville meeting six criteria, including exceeding local capabilities and requiring provincial support. The city faced concerns about its ability to provide essential services while managing the crisis, which also impacted the local economy and downtown businesses.
Following the emergency declaration, Belleville submitted a request for assistance to the province, focusing on two main needs: a new facility to replace the overcapacity Hub, which provides social services and a warming center, and the establishment of a local detox center. The province responded quickly, initiating discussions and committing verbally to invest in a continuum of care, including detox facilities and transitional housing.
Smith notes the broader implications of the crisis, acknowledging that Belleville is not alone and other cities, such as Peterborough and Kingston, face similar challenges. He stresses the importance of collaboration and sharing best practices among municipalities.
In summary, Belleville's declaration of emergency was a strategic move to address the escalating opioid crisis, secure provincial support, and implement comprehensive solutions to support vulnerable populations and ensure community safety.
Smith explains the factors behind the declaration, including the overextension of local resources, the need for provincial support, and significant public and media attention. He emphasizes that the emergency was declared to address the strain on municipal services and to secure additional resources from the province.
The declaration followed a checklist from Emergency Management Ontario, with Belleville meeting six criteria, including exceeding local capabilities and requiring provincial support. The city faced concerns about its ability to provide essential services while managing the crisis, which also impacted the local economy and downtown businesses.
Following the emergency declaration, Belleville submitted a request for assistance to the province, focusing on two main needs: a new facility to replace the overcapacity Hub, which provides social services and a warming center, and the establishment of a local detox center. The province responded quickly, initiating discussions and committing verbally to invest in a continuum of care, including detox facilities and transitional housing.
Smith notes the broader implications of the crisis, acknowledging that Belleville is not alone and other cities, such as Peterborough and Kingston, face similar challenges. He stresses the importance of collaboration and sharing best practices among municipalities.
In summary, Belleville's declaration of emergency was a strategic move to address the escalating opioid crisis, secure provincial support, and implement comprehensive solutions to support vulnerable populations and ensure community safety.
