Windsor city councillors call for more action on open-air drug use

Windsor city council wants to crack down on people using drugs in public. CTV Windsor’s Bob Bellacicco explains.

Two Windsor city councillors say there needs to be more action when it comes to open-air drug use.

Ward 3 councillor Renaldo Agostino says other municipalities have implemented plans dealing with drug use on city streets.

“In some cases they are taking the drugs away, they’re taking paraphernalia away. In some cases they are laying charges. A lot of it comes with compassion. A lot of it comes with education,” says Agostino.

Other communities across Ontario, including Sarnia and London, have stepped up their efforts to clean up open drug use from their streets and Agostino wonders if the same can be done in Windsor. That’s a question he’ll bring up at council.

“What this is about is gaining back some control of our streets,” he says.

Ward 8 councillor Gary Kaschak says he’d like to see a blitz in Windsor.

“The open drug use is just not good. We’ve seen an instance of that even in Ward 8 here in Windsor and people don’t want to see that,” says Kaschak.

While Windsor police haven’t committed to a formal enforcement blitz, they acknowledge the community concerns surrounding open drug use.

“Whether it is downtown or any other place in the city we will strategically place our officers where they’re needed,” says Const. Bianca Jackson.

Since Strengthen the Core was put in place last year, officers and auxiliary officers have become more visible.

“We are doing our best to collaborate with our community partners to make sure the vulnerable in our community get the services they need for their health, care and well-being,” Jackson.

A one-day blitz in Sarnia conducted last week led to five arrests for open drug use including one charge of trafficking.

While there is frustration over drug use and the lack of arrests, Sarnia Mayor Mike Bradley feels when the health heart hubs open those days could come to an end.

“You’ll be 30-days off drugs and alcohol before you go into this place but you’ll get everything. Housing component, you’ll get health care component, the addiction treatment. That is the key and I’m hoping the province will do that right across the province,” says Bradley.