Unfortunately fentanyl is a step up from mild old heroin. Street addicts have found safe ways to use it so typical only recreational users die. Under our harm reduction programs, they are given free opioids but sell them to high school kids and recreational users for money to buy fentanyl. Unfortunately fentanyl causes psychosis hence an increased number of random stranger attacks. A few of note were an Irish tourist stabbed several times in the back whilst waiting to cross the street and a Mexican tourist stabbed and almost killed in a Tim Hortons- both had no idea who attacked them or why.

We are seeing a number of people arrested for breaking downtown $50,000 shop windows or assaulting people who have conviction records numbering in the hundreds. Unfortunately under current federal policy these people are released by the courts usually within 24 hours. Even the local police fear their lives and have refused to go to homeless (substance abuse) camps in numbers less than six heavily armed police. Another recent event occurred in Nanaimo when the shop owner victim of multiple thefts visited the local homeless camp with several friends to retrieve his stolen goods. He was shot numerous times but luckily survived.

Since most fentanyl originates from China and Vancouver is the closest North American port, this is something that is destined for all Canadian cities. It is cheap, very powerful and is used to enhance everything from cannabis to cocaine. The average street level addict cost each city about $200,000 per year in property damage, health costs and harm reduction.

Perhaps it is time to distinguish between homelessness and street living substance abuse, as both have different causes a different solutions. You can’t lump them together or you will never resolve the issue.

Stop loss Jon. Stop loss!