Andrew Stevens Ward 3

Based on community feedback, including comments I received from residents I spoke with while canvassing in North Central, I co-sponsored this addictions motion with Councillors Bresciani, Mancinelli, and Hawkins. Yes, public health is a provincial responsibility, but our city and our residents are being shouldered with the financial and human costs of addictions and overdoses. The City has an important leadership role to play in building solutions.

WHEREAS the number of overdoses and deaths caused by opioids in Regina are increasing significantly (in 2020 there have been 63 overdoses to date, compared to 21 in the whole of 2019);

WHEREAS the Official Community Plan recognizes that “Health and safety are key elements in ensuring that Regina remains a city of choice in which to live, work, and raise a family”;

WHEREAS public health is a matter of provincial jurisdiction, but the harm caused by substance use and addictions affects Regina residents;

WHEREAS city-funded agencies and services, like Regina Police Service and Fire and Protective Services, are already responsible for responding to overdoses in the community;

WHEREAS costs incurred applying Regina Police Service and Fire & Protective Services -- our highest expense assets – is a reactive solution and financially unsustainable, leading to negative tax implications;

WHEREAS City Council has already recognized the value of harm reduction in the Plan to End Homelessness;

WHEREAS City Council has approved the drafting of a Community Wellbeing and Public Safety strategy;

WHEREAS community organizations are taking on the responsibility of cleaning up used needles and drug paraphilia, as well as offering addiction services and supports;

WHEREAS the City needs to show leadership in addressing these and other serious community and public health concerns;

Be it resolved that City Council commit to addressing the addictions and substance use crisis in Regina;

Be it further resolved that:

1. Administration consider including addictions and substance use as part of the mandate for the Local Emergency Planning Committee;
2. Administration partner with community organizations to develop a City-wide needle cleanup and disposal strategy and funding model;
3. Administration work with community organizations, experts, users, Reconciliation Regina, Fire, the Regina Police Service, and the Saskatchewan Health Authority to develop a City-wide harm reduction strategy that may include, but not limited to safe consumption sites, safe drug supplies, wellness centres, traditional ceremonial spaces, detox facilities, supportive housing, and addiction support services as part of the Community Wellbeing and Public Safety strategy;
4. Administration ensure that Indigenous communities are involved in the consultation and that Indigenous approaches to healing be considered in the strategy;
5. Administration develop an advocacy strategy aimed at the provincial and federal governments to secure funding and support for harm reduction initiatives.

Respectfully submitted,

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Andrew Stevens

Councillor - Ward 3

Lori Bresciani

Councillor – Ward 4

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Jason Mancinelli

Councillor – Ward 9

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Bob Hawkins

Councillor – Ward 2