At the Regular Council meeting on Monday night – March 20 – Mayor Cleveland introduced a “Notice of Motion” to say that Council does not endorse the unsanctioned Overdose Prevention site proposed for Cobourg. (See Resources below for link to report by Pete Fisher). This usually means that it would be introduced at a subsequent Council meeting but Council passed a suspension of rules of Order that meant it could be dealt with and passed immediately. Mayor Cleveland, with support from Council and CAO Tracey Vaughan made it clear they had not been consulted and only heard about it from the media plus citizen communication – at the same time as everyone else. See the full wording of the motion below. Mayor Cleveland plans to present it to the Police board at Tuesday’s meeting at 9:00 am.
Motion by Mayor Cleveland
Subject: Unsanctioned Consumption Sites in the Town of Cobourg
Which Notice of Motion reads as follows:
WHEREAS the Council of the Town of Cobourg and Municipal Staff were unaware of the erection of the Unsanctioned Overdose Prevention Site where individuals are utilizing the use of illicit drug use within the Town of Cobourg; and
WHEREAS the Town of Cobourg does not endorse the operation;
NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED THAT Council urges that the Organizers wanting to create this space to follow the legal process to operate a supervised consumption site (SCS) as approved and licensed by Health Canada who may grant exemptions for an SCS after satisfactory completion of an application which includes consultation with a broad range of people in the community.
The motion passed.
The intent is to have Police, the Fire Department and By-Law enforcement make sure there are no laws or regulations broken but it’s made difficult because the “sites” (two tents) will be on Private property and their location will not be public.
The news was originally published on local radio station 89.7 with an interview of organizer Missy McLean by Rob Washburn. Rob has published the interview on his blog “Consider This” – Link below.
The interview was broadcast Friday 17th and on Monday March 20, local journalist Pete Fisher reported what was said in detail (see link below).
There was no notification to the Town – but the Town has acted quickly.
Here are some more details extracted from Pete’s report:
- It’s called an “overdose prevention site” (but it’s clearly a “Safe injection site” – my words based on Missy’s description and the Mayor’s description as “Unsanctioned Consumption site”).
- The site will be mobile and switch undisclosed locations in the downtown area every Friday from 7 pm to 10 pm. Missy said that Property owners have agreed.
- It will consist of 2 tents, one for inhaling and one for injecting illegal drugs.
- “People bring their own substances.”
- Missy said: “I’ve been told that police are already following the directive of the Crown Attorney in Ontario which is to not charge folks who are simple possession of illegal substances”
- McLean said the volunteers that will be operating it have had first-aid training. “Aside from the credentials of training and regulation, we have folks who have lived experience of saving their friends lives already. And have been doing so for years. So they come with their own expertise – their lived expertise.”
Do we want this happening in Cobourg?
Resources
- Unsanctioned Overdose Prevention Site Coming to Cobourg – Like It or Not – by Pete Fisher on Today’s Northumberland
- Interview of Missy McLean by Rob Washburn
Added 21 March 2023
Statement from Chief Paul VandeGraaf Re: overdose prevention site
Added 22 March 2023
Statement from Chair of Police Board
Print Article:
This problem has become unmanageable because our town has drug addicted homeless coming from all parts of Ontario. This is not sustainable. Only born and raised locals should be using resources that have been proportionately shared with surrounding communities, not creating a hub in such a small town. No one seems to care that the more accommodations that are made the more people come. We now have people who have set root in Cobourg over past years and these organizers will have you believe they came here a few years ago for small town living lifestyle choices rather than the resources that are continuously advocated for. A town of 20000 should never be the catch all for such a large area.
I look forward to the meeting between social services and the health unit on April 12th. Hopefully, they can come to some real solutions. I still question why Missy and her team didn’t through proper channels and go for a sanctioned site. Northumberland county also needs to start a conversation on a rapid detox inpatient/outpatient clinic for those that want to get clean. People complain that these services take too long to access, then make it available for our area.
I support harm reduction and safe injection sites because it’s clear the War on Drugs didn’t work, in fact it helped lead us to record breaking overdose deaths. I’ve also worked in the largest opioid user area (Vancouver’s downtown east side) and recently worked in a building close to the safe injection site by Dundas square I see that it does help those that need it and reduces the record breaking deaths.
That being said I think it’s the wrong approach to do this “Unsanctioned” Wild West style.
They should have gone through the proper application, and community consultation and I’m concerned in particular about the inhalation consumption test. A tent will not do much to contain or stop the drugs from wafting out to people nearby.
Toronto only got their first inhalation site a year ago- it has state of the art ventilation and many other safety features. This isn’t something people should be doing in tents in public spaces where the fumes are not properly handled safely.
A move in the right direction?
https://www.northumberlandnews.com/news-story/10872559-overdose-prevention-site-not-permitted-use-town-issues-notice-of-violation-of-cobourg-zoning-bylaw/
Ken,
Do you know if the same will apply to residential property owners as well?
Sorry, Rational, I only know what I read in the newspaper. That said, why wouldn’t the same rules apply?
Do your insurance premiums go up for your store if you’re allowing an illegal injection site out back?
/s
So Cobourg has now made it to the likes of Toronto, San Francisco, Peterborough—safe injection sites. And with it comes the tents of safe injection, the tents of unsafe injection, the tents of homelessness, the tents of hopelessness and despair.
So where are the drugs coming from that these people are using in the “safe” injection site?
Gangs. Gangs in Toronto, Gangs in Montreal, Gangs in Vancouver, Gangs in Calgary.
The same gangs that are shooting each other up and killing each other as they battle over drug dealing territory and communities.
The same gangs bringing in guns from the USA to perpetuate their battles and dealing.
So to these dealers and gangs, safe injection sites are a perfect addition to their business models; in maintaining a captive, continuous, customer base.
The users of these safe injection are unfortunate victims of gangs who make
their money off their weaknesses and pain and suffering. They are also victims of their own governments and the associated agencies who through their policies chose not to or incapable the most vulnerable in society .
In reading the application for a 56.1 exemption it clearly states all requirements for the planned site must be reviewed with the proper overseeing authorhities as well as consultations in the community with review of the number of overdose deaths and addiction.
Should an unsanctioned site be opened then it is the elected leaders, the police department and most definitely the Board of Health who are not acting within the boundaries of their positions to allow the unsanctioned injection sites not set up through lawful channel, illegal sites as it is the case which should then be shut down.
For any application for such an exemption all parties need to follow the stated steps that are written. Prove through documentation the number residing for any length of time in Cobourg who require these services, not people who have come from other cities who should be directed by the Health Department to the region they hail from to seek such services. And have the statistics laid out publicly not behind closed doors.
On the cynical side the homeless and drug addicted have become a real industry employing many – are their real interests to help these people or are they reasons of self interest?
Read an article quite a while ago. Rehab is becoming big business. Some are set up for failure so the drug addicted person keeps coming back.
We moved to Cobourg because my sister has lived here for over 6 years and we have seen it as a safe, friendly community…and many other reasons!
We love Cobourg and are proud residents.
We have compassion and empathy toward all humans…including drug users.
Erecting injection sites in our downtown is not a good idea. I do not have a solution.
My young ones were asking what they were doing in the tents at the Covert parking lot on Friday. How do I explain this to them?? I worry for their safety, as well as the elderly’s safety.
When intoxicated, we are not ourselves and can act in irrational, confusing, rude, intimidating, sometimes violent ways —FACTS. (As well as personal experiences and encounters).
We are concerned for our children and our elderly.
WHY do they have to be exposed to these drug induced behaviours?? The majority of us taxpayers are subjected to these potential behaviours with no say?? We pay for police, health, fire and EMS…we should have a well advertised Town Hall meeting on this subject…there is a need for change on behalf of All of Us humans living in Cobourg.
These tents may work in large cities (with fewer families and elderly) I don’t know…but being subjected to the above mentioned behaviours is not why I moved here.
This is supposed to be ‘Ontario’s Feel Good Town’. And it does not feel good or safe right now.
Newbie, are you saying that Missy’s illegal safe injection site was in the Covert Street parking lot (public property)? And our police did nothing? And our bylaw people did nothing?
Yes. Behind Theresa’s pet and toy store. Not sure if she thought it was her private property? Fairly certain property owned by paint store and they are not happy about it.
Were the police there on Friday?
Not when we were there. All of the businesses in downtown should also be protesting…or they will lose their customers! This is so sad.
There is a prediction of a boycott of this business.
Perhaps this would be a perfect opportunity for the police to run surveillance for outstanding warrants etc for all that make use of the tents?
What has developed is Missy McLean has said I don’t care about the rules and guidelines. I am going to set up illegal sites in the Town of Cobourg so tough.
Cobourg’s Leadership has said we don’t want the sites here.
The police department who taxpayers pay $6M plus to each year says it’s illegal but we are not going to do anything about it.
Well Mr Mayor, Councillors and Mr Police Chief you all need to stand up for the residents and taxpayers of Cobourg and stop this today. Once the Ministry provides approval (if they do) for Missy McLean’s sites then look at it again.
If nothing legally is going to happen to the organizers then why would anything legally happen to the Town of Cobourg for standing up for itself based on published rules and regulations?
The operative words here is what’s happening “is not legal” at this point. And one person is dictating to a town of 20,000,including police, taxpayers and Town Leadership how we are going to do things illegally.
Taxpayers need those with the authority to stop this, develop backbone and to take a stand and say NO!
Now the Kawartha Pine Ridge Health Unit thinks that a safe injection site in Cobourg may be a good idea! Has the world gone mad?
https://todaysnorthumberland.ca/2023/03/22/haliburton-kawartha-pine-ridge-district-health-unit-stops-just-short-of-endorsing-unsanctioned-consumption-site-in-cobourg
What happens if someone dies after getting his fix and who is responsible for him dying on private property? Does it come down to the property owner.
If I established a safe consumption site for raw unpasteurized milk on my property, I would be shut down, arrested and fined by Cobourg Police…Cobourg is aggressively pursuing bylaws and regulations to aggressively (mis)manage AirBnb and VRBO type businesses and ride-sharing (Uber/Lyft) but some how this unlicensed, uninsured, unsanctioned, unwanted program is okay?! What will happen after the first overdose fatality or violent act committed on the property or a neighbouring property?
Do it, Rob!
One important feature of attracting drug users to a safe injection site is the opportunity to talk, one-on-one, with the addicted: if possible to find out the root causes, such as a personal tragedy, or homelessness, or their inability to find and sustain a decent job, and to inform and possibly assist them in finding a way out.
To demonize them, consider them some kind of inferior breed of human being, is not only a sign of our ignorance but also the reason why we, the unaffected, have allowed this situation to become an emergency.
The fact that such an emergency has existed for years only serves to confirm what I have just said.
Where is the true understanding? Where is the real compassion? Where is the leadership? Where is the will to act?
Can we, at the very least not allow these in family neighbourhoods. The war on drugs may not have been that effective but with fentanyl killing more people than ever I do not believe there is another choice. You cannot normalize drug use. Every time you add these resources you create a greater presence of drug activity in that particular area. You cannot normalize drug use. Having people be allowed to bring these substances into family neighbourhoods is not going to end well. Who is volunteering up their neighbourhood? Which families are wanting these locations near their kids?
A better solution, like Alberta has adopted, more rehab, and closed these sites that are ineffective and only encourage drug addicts to continue. So far Alberta has seen a 50% decrease and this is only a recent solution. People without kids should not be subjected either. Industrial areas full of businesses and employees subject to being mugged don’t want them either.
Society is looking for a cure to this drug disease, when they should be looking at preventative measures. I recommend coercive laws that require 2 years service to the state, especially in a military context to instill the benefits of discipline, and especially of bonding, not only to colleagues and peers, but to society.
During the 50’s 60’s Canada had a program for communities across the nation. It was summer militia. In Cobourg it was run by the 33rd Medium Artillery. (Thirsty Thirds it was nicknamed) The summer I was in, there were about 100 dudes. Baby boomers all. We all grew up knowing each other. (Cobourg was about 9,000 people)
In the eight weeks that was summer militia, these teenagers developed some man skills, strengthening their bodies at the same time as discipling their minds to prep them for possible future violent scenarios. They taught us search and rescue techniques, how to strap a person to a stretcher and lowering them from the third floor window. We were taught how to dress wounds, how to splinter lroken limbs, etc. We were tested, a few times extremely.
By the end of summer, those boys had been empowered. Of the 100, I know only one that died in his early 50s from substance abuse. He never became homeless, and paid his bills for the most part, but he did run havoc on his family.
Nevertheless, this summer militia program was helpful for individuals and for the nation. Many, like myself, stayed on to serve in the reserves. I despair for the current state of Canada’s declining armed forces. Canada’s society has slowly weakened to such a degree that we have little respect for the warrior ethos of strength, purpose and hard work.
I think we ALL need to email chief and the police service board about this asinine tent issue
I agree! I would like to see a town hall meeting on this potentially worsening situation
Rouse up, Sirs! Give your brains a racking
To find the remedy we ’re lacking,
Or, sure as fate, we’ll send you packing!”
— Robert Browning
Today in the Washington Post. https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/03/21/fentanyl-methamphetamine-us-mexico-diplomacy/
…with this chilling paragraph:
As many drug counselors will tell you: Unlike with heroin, there is no such thing as a long-term street-fentanyl user. They all die.
Are tents like these just prolonging the agony of the user?
They are prolonging the agony of these poor people. They are not helping. They are enabling them to continue their path towards death. They are making themselves feel better.
The press release from the Chief of Police basically says they will not stop Missy Maclean’s tents but they will respond if called, but then likely do nothing due to the 2020 Federal Crown’s directive ( thanks Trudeau). And besides the last form of policing is enforcement as per the press release. The chief supports the process of considering the establishment of a sanctioned supervised consumption site if the guidelines established by the Ministry of Health and/or Health Canada are applied for. I believe Missy McLean has applied for nothing. In my opinion it should be Missy and her facilitators who are arrested, however the chief is not doing that either. So once again the taxpayers who pay the cops salaries are told by the chief that the cops are going to do nothing.
Thank you for clarification. So if the Mayor’s motion is that the Town of Cobourg doesn’t approve of unsanctioned sites, the Mayor then needs to step up and put a stop to this and request that the Police Services also step up and shut the sites down until Missy obtains all approvals required. Enough is enough.
This!
This town police will not do a think about this nor will they warn Missy, Cobourg will be still open arms for even more drug addicted people by her ding this foolish crap
It is near the time of the year when transients from other areas in Ontario will be relocated in Cobourg at various locations such as the (recently closed) Skating Station on Albert Street.
LETS HOPE that the Towns BY LAW fellow The Tough new Guy Mark McMurtry
is all over this one . TENTS Zoning , Licencing , Sign Permits Public Gatherings — etc etc
After all he wants all the downtown Property owners out Painting this week in the Cold to Cover up the GRAFFITTI all over this Town or you could be fined up to $50,000.– + Legals
Yet they Say this is a Police issue and the Police tell us its a ByLaw problem .
WHO EXACTLY IS IN CHARGE of this Town ??
A 12 year old can’t bring a hockey stick on the ice of Rotary Park (the frink) without a Cobourg Police Officer or Town Bylaw Enforcement asking him to put it away or be removed from the ice surface. You can’t park on the street for longer than you paid in our downtown. You can’t have a small backyard fire for cooking a few hotdogs. Small protests get Police attention. Regular patrols of the beach to ensure there are no off-leash dogs, alcohol or people smoking cannabis. Yet somehow our Town and those who are paid to serve and protect are going to fail act on unsanctioned illegal and elicit drug consumption sites and sit idle while local businesses demand support and atm’s are locked up due to vagrancy, indecency, public intoxication, harassment and drug use. Who is running this gong show?
Cleveland better step up because this is the will of the people. Beatty needs to remember who put her in that DM chair – this isn’t about her personal Liberal agenda.
What is happening now in the Town of Cobourg is similar to entering the Twilight Zone – a 1960s TV science fiction delusional terror show.
While on the beach this summer, I witnessed two officers waiting on the beach to issue a ticket for open alcohol. It was a beer in the drink holder of a beach chair.
The culprit: a 70+ man who was out swimming. His 70+ wife had to wade in to get him. I watched this take place over a 20 minute period of time.
It. Was. Ridiculous.
Those same patrol officers were no where to be seen in the evening when the active drug use ramped up in the surrounding parks.
Your comments bring to light the absurdity of it all.
And why cant you have a hockey stick on the Frink?
Because it might harm another person skating. Because if one person is allowed to do it, others will see and start doing it.
But allowing a person to shoot up concealed in a tent is to “reduce” harm and dissuade others from doing it?
Sandpiper……maybe as they say ‘the insane are taking over the asylum’…..?
Missy?
I’ll wager that the two prescriptive ‘tents’ will spawn other tents, regardless of the rules. Hopefully Misty et al will be able to handle/manage the anticipated increase in ‘traffic’ for the chosen properties.
that’s correct Gerinator…….’the circus is coming to town’!
Sadly, it’s already here. What of public safety?
This press release just came out from the Cobourg Chief of Police. I am not clear on it but it tends to suggest that Missy McLean can go ahead only if she has met the guidelines. It then sounds if she then operate the sites illegally the Police will only respond if they get a 3rd party complaint, but pointing out they do not arrest anyone for possession of illegal drugs.
If Ministry Operational Guidelines are not met then she should not be allowed to operate a site and the Police need to shut it down until she has proven so.
Can anyone help clarify what the Police Chief has agreed to?
[Editor’s Note: Link removed – See link at bottom of post above or link in News Update box]
Apparently only under certain circumstances can a person with personal possession of controlled substances can be charged. Wonder if they are going to check each to see if in violation of bail – etc. conditions?
As we are informed the site is “non sanctioned” there should be charges laid against the people who have illegally set up this site. No info on that.
The Police Chief has stated they will attend should they get a complaint to attend the site.
That’s all I could make out Rational. I would also like to know as this will be the 2nd tent she has made available if the penalty if only under by-law will carry higher consequences.
OK here’s the question, if the Police will not charge for simple possession and if the tent is on private property and people inside the tent are not in possession of restricted weapons or more drugs than personal use what can the Police do about it.
It seems this situation is just the same as having a few friends over in a private backyard. I bet these folks would be heckuva lot quieter than teenagers throwing back a couple of cases of beer.
Just my two cents worth.
May be we need to call in the O P P to enforce Provincial Rule if Cobourg won’t
illegal is illegal Drugs , Booze ,——- Intoxication .
They won’t even let me leave the Hospital or drive until they are sure the
drug effects are gone .
I agree that allowing these illegal injection sites is absolutely wrong. However, I also question the fact the site(s) are only to be available from 7-10 p.m. on Friday evenings? Do drug addicts only need drugs once a week to feed their habit or are these pop-up tents only for social/recreational drug users who aren’t actually addicted and don’t need a regular “fix”?
Please look at the deteriorating conditions of cities where this is now available.
Seems to me we are condoning the use of drugs by setting up these so called safe sites because there is no safe use of these drugs; not for the users and certainly not for the citizens of Cobourg.
Here is the original story about the overdose prevention site. It is an interview with Missy McLean talking about the project. https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/volunteers-to-launch-overdose-prevention-site-in-cobourg/id1548125344?i=1000604753971
I have listened to it and learned a lot about the motivation and rationale behind the project. I will bet that the majority of the posters did not listen and will not listen. If they had or do perhaps their comments would have been different (although knowing most of the commenters) I will not hold my breath!
I listened to it when Rob posted it to Consider This. I learned that it to some the rule of law means nothing. And that if they think it’s a good idea, illegal or not- qualified or not, then the rest of the world should just agree. ( Isn’t that one definition of entitlement ? ) This is the wrong way to try and accomplish what may be a worthwhile objective.
Insulting other commenters is considered to be “off topic.”
This link shows a Twitter Post from Missy McLean on March 18th which indicates that on March 17th she set up a drug use site in Cobourg with six people attending. Council and the Cobourg Police Department need to provide a response to this action i.e. did they know about it and if they did what did they do. I came across this by simply googling her name so this suggests that Leadership/CPD could easily do the same for information.
https://twitter.com/smalltownmissy/status/1637281849603964928?cxt=HHwWgIC2rdzK5bgtAAAA
Rational, amazingly that tweet shows 6,319 Views, 13
Retweets, 4 Quotes and 67 Likes. I didn’t realize that Twitter was such a popular vehicle for advertising criminal activities!
Also from Ms. McLean:
Missy McLean
@smalltownmissy
·
Sep 2
“People have to want the help” is my new most despised phrase. Every time I heard it around #ioad2022 I challenged the speaker to reframe: We’re so quick to responsibilize the person but if they aren’t taking help being offered, good chance it’s not the right help for them!
“…good chance it’s not the right help for them.”
Perhaps that is the case in some instances, but inhaling/injecting XXX is the best help they can find. If you grew up in an abusive home, raped by a stepfather, or beaten, or mom is a drunk who couldn’t care less about anything, and finally, at age 14 they experience a sensation that is thrilling and wonderful, a feeling sooooo good that one escapes the horror memories of their young bitter life. It’s so good that one wants to do it again. And again. It insulates one from the lethal stigma of society who wish they would starve to death. Who would want to rehab into such a society? Wishing them to starve to death is no better than the drunken mother who forgets to shop for food and leaves her kids hungry.
Many of them grew up never having been loved by anyone. The only thing that ever loved them was a drug stone. Town Council cannot provide love. Bureaucracy cannot provide love — they provide services, but not love. Love, as in caring. Society cares about itself, and wants to be protected from the loveless. We are concerned about the unsightliness of such individuals or of subsequent petty criminality. Why should they care about society that never cared about them until it got to a crisis level? Thankfully, there are a few who really do care. All heart and sometimes with insufficient head.
I recall when I was a teenager commenting to a downtown retailer about Suds Lee, the town drunk, that he was useless to society. The retailer corrected me, saying that he was there to educate people, so that when mothers walk by they can tell their child, “See him?, you don’t wanna grow up to be like that.”
Wally that may be true for some but there are many others who had very loving homes. I could tell you about the ones I knew growing up – I could tell you about the ones I had under my supervision when running a house of first release for newly released inmates from Correctional Services but instead I will remind you of the three sons of George Chuvalo – they chose it not because of any trama of home life or lack of love.
I watched a W5 program the other day about money laundering through B.C. casinos the profits of criminals many foreign who make their money in the illicit drug trade selling here in Canada to often to the young and naive who think they won’t get addicted no matter the vast amount of educational material and examples already there for all to see.
And I will add the older and foolish thinking about a couple of guys that lived near me here in Cobourg – Fentanyl as their poison, illegally purchased.
“I watched a W5 program the other day about money laundering through B.C. casinos the profits of criminals many foreign who make their money in the illicit drug trade selling here in Canada to often to the young and naive who think they won’t get addicted no matter the vast amount of educational material and examples already there for all to see.”
A long sentence with a lot of fat and little meat.
Ha, Hal Wally – “A lot of fat and little meat” A great description of yourself! Didn’t know you had a Rodney Dangerfield sense of humour although is your line “I never give any respect?”
No doubt that there are individuals from loving families who went down the rabbit hole.
Loved individuals stand a better chance of avoiding substance abuse and better chance of recovery than those with a loveless life.
The ones I knew well did come from loving homes Wally. The one who sold his mother’s possessions and clothes while she was in hospital came home to an empty apartment except him. Later he overdosed. She was devastated and committed suicide. She had raised him alone almost since birth and doted on him. No arguments or drunken fights with a spouse in that home and she certainly had no addictions. I like your suggestion about the summer militia Wally. Idle and bored is not good.
Well said Wally”:
“ We are concerned about the unsightliness of such individuals or of subsequent petty criminality. Why should they care about society that never cared about them until it got to a crisis level? Thankfully, there are a few who really do care. All heart and sometimes with insufficient head.”
Wisdom that will fall on deaf ears if one only listens to the majority on this Board
Pepsi Pete was a hard worker when someone hired him for odd jobs
yes he was, but he never did the zombie yoga on fentanyl.
Missy the enabler
For sure, Jade! The phrase “for usage of illegal drugs” is bothersome in that those dosages are often composed of questionable and deadly ingredients. How can that be “safe” or “preventable?”
Why does Cobourg have to host this facility…..perhaps Port Hope should host a site such as this. Spread the love!
“Council Acts on Report of Safe Injection Site”….Should be changed to…Council (all but one) Acts….
The one who abstained from the vote has clearly sent a message to this reader that she aligns herself with Missy’s gang. By abstaining from the vote she said “No” to following the rule of law.
Kathleen, did Clr. Beatty provide an explanation for her lack of respect for Canadian laws and for the vast majority of Cobourg’s residents?
Have you ever heard the phrase, ‘Actions speak louder than words’? The motion was to ensure that legal measures were being followed. She abstained from that vote.
Her interview just said that she had to do more ‘research’. And she couldn’t do this ‘research’ even by voting with the rest of Council to request these safe injection sites are following the law?
Like I said, this reader (me) doesn’t buy it.
Totally agree. Why bother being on council then. If the Deputy Mayor can’t form an opinion and vote on this issue based on what has been presented, then perhaps it is time to step aside.
I did not vote for her as I came to the conclusion long ago that she seems more keen to virtue signal to the underprivileged and special interest groups than making pragmatic decisions for the average Cobourg taxpayer.
listen to her explanation, it is on Fisher’s NorthumberlandToday. She said she didn’t have enough info to make a complete decison yet and therefore abstained instead of voting No.
Get it right folks an abstension is not a vote against.
see it here: https://youtu.be/iY39Bp8qS4Q
3.28minutes in
I would ask, as the elected DM, what additional information does she require to not endorse illegal activity, in this case an unsanctioned, unlicensed consumption center? She was quick to point out that the motion was not a condemnation of the center moreover it was Council expressing a lack of support for the initiative and an encouragement for the group to follow the appropriate channels – I’m curious to understand why she found herself in need to more information to not support illegal and elicit drug activity and encourage due process. In the interview, she was also clear that her goal is to further harm reduction (safe injection) in Cobourg and the County – keep this in mind in the future.
Ben, an abstention is not counted as a vote in favour of a motion. The result is the same as a NO vote. The difference is an obvious lack of integrity and respect for Cobourg’s residents. If Ms. Beatty doesn’t support obeying laws she should resign!
A YES vote means a YES vote.
A NO vote means a NO vote.
And get a load of this: abstention means abstention.
Abstention does not mean a YES vote.
Abstention does not mean a NO vote.
Wally,
You are correct. That is what the words mean.
However, in the wonderful world of Cobourg Council, abstention is counted as a NO, per the Town’s governance procedures.
only in recorded votes, this was not a recorded vote
Perhaps you should read the Procedural Bylaw, Ben. There is no mention of a recorded vote.
“When I use a word,” Humpty Dumpty said in rather a scornful tone, “it means just what I choose it to mean — neither more nor less.”
“The question is,” said Alice, “whether you can make words mean so many different things.”
“The question is,” said Humpty Dumpty, “which is to be master – – that’s all.”
(Through the Looking Glass, Chapter 6)
“will have the same effect as a ‘no’ vote.”
No means no
Abstention means not yes.
Abstention means not no.
Simultaneously.
It’s the effect, not the meaning.
The effect is decided by power.
Abstention gives an individual the ability to not get swept up in the heat of a moment and voting for something that carries deep implications either way. Abstention provides a shelter for thoughtfulness and consulting before committing.
Ben, it’s part of the brainless formula: “Iffen they ain’t for us, then they must be agin us.” It’s called the petite demagogue formulation.
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I’m sure all the local dealers and dealers from other communities would be there to sell their stuff. Probably a turf war would result. Where there are drugs there are guns. Anyone who does not do drugs on a regular basis for fear of dying will now see this as a safe haven and increase their consumption. Enabling an addict to inject illegal drugs into their veins is an accessory. We all know there will be no happy ending for someone who continually poisons their body . These tents will only delay the inevitable for a short period of time. Helping them to get off the drugs, is the only way to truly save them.
You’re right about the dealers. They even show up at the narcotics anonymous meetings.
Where does our local Health Unit come out on this isssue?
For those wishing additional info on addiction checkout one of Canada’s leading experts on the subject of addiction Gabor Mate on YouTube
Thank You Mayor !
its about time someone there took a hard look
at whats going on.
The word is going to have to get around about the undisclosed locations somehow, so we can presume that Missy McLean and the other organizers have their fingers on the pulse of the downtown drug scene.
Maybe they could drop a line to the police about who is doing all the dealing and actually do something effective to help the problem.
My recommendation is that the police “follow the money” with Missy McLean and see where her funding is coming from. If she has figured out how to break the law , poke fun at us about it, and get away with it, what is next for Cobourg. Is our law enfrcement only limited to local parking tickets.
This is an open invitation for many in the surrounding towns to the Cobourg Drug Party every Friday evening. Will require additional Police supervision…extra taxpayer cost.
Congratulations to Missy McLean for keeping this topic in the forefront of public discussion. I would like to see all the vitriol directed to her and the subject redirected to demand that the Agencies involved in alleviating this crisis do their bloody jobs and help people not condemn them!
I don’t believe Missy McLean, who is instigating setting up illegal drug injection sites to administer illegal drugs, warrants any form of congratulations. Rather, she warrants being charged by the police, the same as a drug dealer would be.
Whatever happened to the Woodlawn Inn becoming a rehabilitation centre?
It’s a private facility. There’s a real need though for others who can’t afford the services. It would be great if Cobourg went into partnership with the proposed Peterborough treatment center, or northumberland county get their own.
It is operational. I heard the food is good. The addicts who would make use of ‘safe’ injection sites would not be able to afford treatment.
“Undisclosed locations.”
Oh, I think the owners and occupants of the other properties on the block will be aware of the location pretty quickly.
Incredible! Absolutely inane! I trust that there will be consequences for owners who accommodate “unsanctioned consumption sites” on their properties as well as for Missy and her cohorts (gang).
Wondering if Missy could set up a beer tent beside the “crack shack”?
Would be nice to enjoy a drink while watching the show.
On “Overdose Prevention Site” and a “Safe Injection Site” are two very different things …..
They were not Pete’s words – they were mine. I have edited to make this clear.
John – thankyou for the clarification – I will edit my post above – But there is a very significant difference between an “overdose prevention site” and a “safe injection site” and it’s misleading to make them sound the same,
Dave, perhaps you could explain why this is not a “safe injection site”. In her Washburn interview Missy made it clear that she intended to provide supplies — swabs, needles and such — and a safe environment for illegal activities including injection and inhalation. Certainly no intent to prevent taking drugs. Very different? That sounds like an illegal safe injection site to me!
Ken – if you listened to the interview you’d know “Mislead” also made it clear what they were proposing was NOT a safe injection site, could not be called a safe injection site, (her words) did not meet the criteria to be called such, and that she was making no effort to meet that criteria, get the permits or play by the existing rules. She was simply deciding to break whatever laws she didn’t like and do things the way she thought they should be done. The fact that such a person is proposing to provide the supplies she deems are required and thinks it should be considered safe is insulting. And I expect will open all the people, property owners, contributors, facilitators etc to all kinds of legal trouble should it ever happen.
Possibly one site at her residence to show true faith in walking the walk & not only talking the talk ?
Indeed, Dave, it is insulting to not call a site intended as a safe place for injecting illegal drugs a “safe injection site”. I’m reminded of “If it looks like a duck, swims like a duck, and quacks like a duck, then it probably is a duck.”
Absolutely Ken – who cares about intentions – If it looks illegal, and reads illegal and ignores the law …. it’s probably illegal.
The rule of law is a set of principles, or ideals, for ensuring an orderly and just society. Now if you think it’s OK that we only obey the laws we agree with please advocate for that with the powers that be. There are a few I’m not crazy about. In the meantime I expect, and will fight for, everyone playing by the same rules.
And it should be noted – there are provisions in law for what Mislead is trying to do. She simply doesn’t think those laws should apply to her.
No we do not want this happening in Cobourg. Illegal drugs are illegal no matter which way you look at it in Ontario. Cobourg Police Service should be ordered by the mayor and all councillors to use every legal means to shut illegal injection sites down and charge all individuals involved. Where is the proof for Missy McLean stating the CA in Ontario says there will be no charges for possession of illegal drugs? This may be a directive in BC but not here. Lock this woman up and all others that participate in this illegal activity.
Unforunately Cobourg Taxpayer Ontario has an application process for exemption allowing under criteria such as the consumption site must be located within a Community Health/Aboriginal Centre offering wrap around services. Apparently from what I read Missy McLean has failed to place an application or get an approved appilication for the exemption. She has not revealed the location of the private property either or whether it is a health centre with wraparound services which is a moot point.
However at least Alberta has discontinued these sites stating they are nothing but enablers for illegal drug use. Toronto neighbourhoods are anything but happy with the sites set up there stating they have done nothing but destroy property values, litter the neighbourhood with needles and bring drug dealers. Glad this project is not going forth in Cobourg – and hope the police will search for and shut down without the need of someone calling it in.