EDITORIAL – Forum on drugs and social disorder provided plenty to think about
Placards from Enough is Enough rally that preceded last night’s forum. (Image: Mel Rothenburger file photo)
An editorial by Mel Rothenburger.
KAMLOOPS RESIDENTS — those who turned out for a community forum last night — were given a lot to think about when it comes to drug addictions and social disorder.
The forum was organized by a group of concerned citizens in the wake of the Enough is Enough rally in April. Unlike that rally, there were no confrontations at the forum, other than one very brief incident of rudeness.
Despite the importance of the issue, Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson was the only member of City council who showed up, at least that I saw. MLA Peter Milobar attended, too, so kudos to them for taking the time to be there.
Featured panelist last night was controversial Vancouver filmmaker Aaron Gunn, who has documented what’s not working in the battle against drug-related issues.
Some didn’t think he should be allowed to speak in Kamloops because of things he’s said on other social matters but if he’d been banned it would have robbed the community of a lot of valuable insight into the problem.
Youth worker Chris Dornan, the other panelist, added personal insights.
Some of the town hall-style discussion involved a re-statement of what we already know: that the system is broken, that the focus in B.C. on so-called “safer supply” and housing in the absence of effective treatment isn’t solving anything.
There were some stories about the impact of the crime that goes along with addictions, and some excellent information about toxic drugs but it was mostly about searching for answers.
As a Westsyde resident put it, “We don’t have a frickin’ clue where to go” to help in finding solutions.
A new system developed next door in Alberta, however, found a lot of favour with the audience. Called the Alberta Model, it’s a recovery oriented system that focuses on quick access to long-term treatment.
Nobody expected all the answers last night but, as Gunn said, a willingness to debate the problem is a good start.
I’m Mel Rothenburger, the Armchair Mayor.
Mel Rothenburger is a regular contributor to CFJC Today, publishes the ArmchairMayor.ca opinion website, and is a recipient of the Jack Webster Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award. He has served as mayor of Kamloops, school board chair and TNRD director, and is a retired daily newspaper editor. He can be reached at mrothenburger@armchairmayor.ca.
ArmchairMayor.ca 
I echo what Pierre stated about no councillors or sr staff attending and I’m also suspicious as to why the third panelist abruptly cancelled. Lastly, I applaud the organizers for their efforts and this is just the beginning.
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Good commentary. Answer: “Be kind to each other.” If that is not understood, patience is required on a personal level, but obliteration is required on a public level…because we are all in this together…
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I was very gratified to see a very wide spectrum of audience, old and young, left and right, etc. Many people there long-time Kamloops folks, respected in the community. It was a very productive evening. Some of what came out of it: a sense of belonging to a community is crucial. Immediate acceptance into rehab at the moment the addicted person wants it is crucial. Long-term rehab has to be the standard. The current BC model, where people leave rehab after 6 weeks and then are housed in a place where drugs are freely used and available and people are isolated in very shabby quarters or where those who don’t choose rehab are given Dilaudid, a very powerful opiate, and housed in the same quarters, is defeatist and demeaning for the person. There was lots more. It was a very positive experience for everyone. We got it professionally videoed and will post it to youtube asap.
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That no other council member or any City staff with a bit of a profile were present is very telling in my opinion of the true state of how things are at city hall. I also wonder were most of the keyboard warriors of an NDP bend were too. They have plenty so say anonymously and always at the ready to throw mud in people’s face they don’t like. But when they need to be counted for the belligerence and commitment doesn’t exist.
Lastly though it would be interesting to find out who pressured the other panelists to rescind her commitment to the event.
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