RESOURCES NEEDED TO KEEP DRUG PROBLEM UNDER CONTROL

Nanaimo's drug problem is serious and will continue to get worse
unless more resources are committed, say community
stakeholders.

"I think Nanaimo's problem isn't out of control yet, but if we don't
start adding resources, it will get there," said Marg Fraser, the
Vancouver Island Health Authority's manager of mental health and
addiction services.

The city's five-year plan to tackle homelessness includes creating
more than 300 supportive housing units throughout the city. Fraser
said the provincial government's commitment to provide up to 160
supportive housing units in Nanaimo for the homeless or those at risk
of being homeless is a step in the right direction toward helping
people overcome their addiction issues.

"Outpatient treatment can be successful as long as people have family
support and safe housing," she said. "If they go back to the same old
crack house, they don't have a great chance."

Fraser said the city needs at least 300 supportive housing units and
also needs to develop more affordable housing units. Victoria has more
than 600 supportive housing units.

But, she added, community stakeholders have taken the first step by
getting together and working collaboratively on the issue. City
council, Nanaimo RCMP, the health authority and various non-profit
groups all participated in developing the city's five-year plan to
reduce homelessness.

"The thing that happens when people work together is you maximize your
resources," said Fraser. "I think we're doing a way better job than we
were a year ago."

Const. Gary O'Brien, Nanaimo RCMP spokesman, said an increased police
presence downtown and collaboration with downtown business and bar
owners has displaced some of the drug activity there.

"Many times that's the sad reality of police work," he said. "You have
to find other means other than displacement. We have to think more out
of the box."

O'Brien said looking at harsher penalties for convicted drug
traffickers and more intensive rehabilitation opportunities for
addicts, who are often responsible for committing petty crimes around
the city, is needed.

He said the recent decision of the federal arm of the RCMP's
E-Division law enforcement operations to centralize in Nanaimo will
improve the city's ability to combat the import and export of illegal
drugs.

Carrie Morris, program coordinator for Discovery Youth and Family
Services, which provides addiction counselling and outreach support to
youth and their families, said more support at the home, community and
school levels are needed.

"It takes an entire community to raise a child, it takes an entire
community to recognize youth with substance abuse issues," she said