Increased opioid-related calls and the demand for mental health services were discussed at a recent meeting between Mission’s council, local MLAs and addictions minister Jennifer Whiteside.
Whiteside, Abbotsford-Mission MLA Pam Alexis and Maple Ridge-Mission MLA Bob D’Eith met with the city to discuss an array of topics concerning mental health and addictions in Mission.
“The meeting was very successful with Minister Whiteside gaining a fuller understanding of the mental health and addiction issues Mission is facing as a community, and the city’s willingness to explore expanded and unique models to serve the community better,” said Mission Mayor Paul Horn.
The parties discussed an increase in opioid-related calls for Mission Fire Rescue Service, along with the resulting impact both financially and on the community. The need for more youth mental health services, the number of treatment beds for addiction in Mission and the Fraser Valley overall, and the expansion of the Car 67 program into Mission were also talked about at the meeting.
“The community’s willingness to be a part of any pilot program initiatives shows how focused we are on continuing to build better supports for those that are facing these challenges,” Alexis said.
D’Eith says it was great for Whiteside to hear first-hand the challenges Mission faces to better inform how the province and the city can continue to collaborate on getting people support.
“The best way to help people suffering from mental health and addictions issues is for different levels of government and community organizers and members to work together as we seek more solutions that keep our friends, family, and neighbours safer during the opioid crisis,” D’Eith said.
Horn says Whiteside promised to respond to several questions from council and expressed gratitude for the Mission’s desire to work as partners on future initiatives.
According to statistics from the BC Coroners’ Service, 10 people died from unregulated drugs in Mission from January to April 2023 after 34 deaths in 2022.
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dillon.white@missioncityrecord.com
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