'Open drug use is rampant,' Saskatoon community support officers say
CTV
Saskatoon’s community support officers say they responded to record numbers of calls over the summer, with services to help those struggling with addictions and mental health issues only dwindling.
Saskatoon’s community support officers are saying they responded to record numbers of calls over the summer, with services to help those struggling with addictions and mental health issues only dwindling.
A report from community support program supervisor Rob Garrison says staff saw a record 367 calls for service in the month of June, and nearly as many in August.
According to the report, staff and local businesses are concerned with the widespread level of drug use in their service area.
“Open drug use is rampant in our patrol areas,” Garrison wrote in his report to the city’s street activity committee.
“We regularly encounter people consuming drugs either by needle or inhaling. Many of the calls for suspicious persons are regarding people using drugs in doorways and parking lots of businesses and service providers.”
Property owners are frequently left to clean up needles and other paraphernalia, the report said.
Community support officers are meant to help resolve social issues in the city’s core by connecting people to social, health and housing services, but Garrison says they’re struggling to find help for high-needs people, particularly “difficult to house” women.
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