The number of people that have suffered from drug poisonings in Cobourg has tripled in the last year.
In a interview with Today’s Northumberland, Cobourg Police Chief Paul VandeGraaf said there has been a “significant increase” in drug poisoning, which was commonly known as a drug overdose.
“We’ve had over 90 this year which is double to two years ago, triple to last year.”
Seven people have died from suspected drug poisoning as of December 10.
Two people died last week within five days of each other in downtown from suspected drug poisonings.
“So obviously this health crisis is very concerning to all emergency service providers.”
First and foremost VandeGraaf extends condolences to both families and friends of the victims.
Tragedies like what happened last week have far reaching impacts throughout the community to friends and loved ones of the victims and even to emergency service providers.
VandeGraaf said the opioid crisis is a “tragic health crisis,” where police become the “tip of the spear” in their response.
At that point there is nothing any of the emergency services can do other than to provide life saving care in hopes of saving the victim.
“In that time, in that moment this is a health emergency.”
VandeGraaf emphasizes that it’s imperative to look at the problem long before it gets to that stage.
Harm reduction, prevention, effective rehabilitation.
Stating bluntly, “right now it’s not there. The path to rehabilitation is to long. It’s not at the right time. It’s not immediate enough.”
The Ontario Association of Chief’s of Police is calling on the Ontario government to create a task force on the opioid crisis.
“We supported the Associated Municipalities of Ontario’s requirement that the province identify a coordinator to look at resources that can intervene prior to police being involved.”
VandeGraaf says he’s fully aware that police and other emergency services will always be needed, “but we have to do a far better job.”
“I cannot be looking at 90 drug poisonings again next year. And the only path to that is working with our community partners.”
Cobourg Police ran a pilot project during this summer that was so successful they are applying for a grant from the provincial government.
Two officers came up with the idea and implemented the project where officers met with people an acted as “social navigators” to people who may be in need of assistance.
“It built trust and created a way for people to have off-the-record conversations to create an opportunity for people to access resources that maybe they didn’t know or were scared to access.”
“We drove people to different communities where their families were or where there was a better support network.”
It’s about getting the individual the support, sometimes from family members that was needed.
“Policing needs to work with somebody else in the community and help them own this issue. Not pass the buck, but get the people with the right skills doing the right work and we as a police service can support them everyday.”
As an optimist, VandeGraaf will never give in, but said key factors have to come into play.
“We have to look at this differently. We have to stop looking at the police as being the carrier of this. We need to really to focus on harm reduction.”
The Mheart Team which are professionals from Northumberland Hills Hospital riding along with police officers has been, “a great partnership.”
Police and medical professionals meet weekly with vulnerable people on a one-to-one basis reassuring them support is there for them.
But obviously there is a criminal element to illegal drugs.
“We have never in my tenure as Chief or Deputy Chief for the Town of Cobourg arrested somebody for using drugs in one of these health crisis – never. And we will not.”
“We will actively enforce, investigate and arrest those responsible for bringing drugs into our community.”
Fentanyl is a “very potent drug used in very serious medication conditions,” states VandeGraaf.
Author: Pete Fisher
Has been a photojournalist for over 30-years and have been honoured to win numerous awards for photography and writing over the years. Best selling author for the book Highway of Heroes - True Patriot Love
