A Kamloops councillor is hoping a special notice of motion will push the province to help deal with increasing social problems.
Mental health and addiction issues were recently deemed the number-one issue by the 13-member Urban Mayors Caucus, which includes the mayor of Kamloops Ken Christian.
Speaking on the NL Morning News, Coun. Bill Sarai says while many bases are covered by the province, a lack of funding and communication is hurting the city’s most vulnerable.
“Right now it’s like a disconnect. So, BC Housing is doing housing very well. Interior Health is handing out needles very well. But it seems like the detox beds and the wraparound services, the recovery beds and sobering centres, there’s not much there for an individual that’s seeking help right now, They’re falling through the cracks.”
Sarai says the city simply can’t sustain footing the bill for so many areas and he’d like to see more communication with the province. “Get everybody on board, talking to each other and directing who should be responsible for what actions in the city. The City of Kamloops isn’t in the housing business. We’re not in the street nurse business. We’re not in the outreach business. We’re not in the detox business.”
He realizes partnering with certain agencies needs to be done but he feels the more problems arise, the more of a burden it is for the taxpayer. “It shouldn’t be on the taxpayers of Kamloops. This is a provincial, federal issue. We will be there to help you and give you any assistance we can but financially we can’t burden this for very long.
“You just can’t put them in housing and think that everything is going to be okay because they’re off the street. That is not the solution. The solution is, not only for the community but for that individual, is get them the help they need whether it’s addiction of mental health just by housing them isn’t the answer.”
Sarai will bring his nine-point notice of motion to a special meeting of council next Tuesday March 2. Coun. Dale Bass also will be presenting a lengthy motion aimed to improve the city’s approach to social issues.
Next week’s meeting, specifically to deal with social issues, comes after council had a lengthy discussion earlier this month about a notice of motion brought forward by three councillors but failed to come to a decision on how to proceed.
