Parksville Coun. Sylvia Martin would like to see the provincial government provide improved resources and facilities for mental health and addictions services.
Following council approval, her motion will be forwarded to the Association of Vancouver Island and Coastal Communities for consideration.
The resolution includes a recommendation that the province focus on recruitment of professionals "trained to identify needs, root causes and create a tailored recovery plan for young people disproportionately affected by the combined crises of toxic drug supply, mental health and housing affordability challenges".
Martin pointed out the widespread agreement that things have reached a crisis level and the situation requires a plan, but nothing seems to be effective so far.
“For many years local governments have been advocating for direct and specific action to support the increasing number of people who are negatively impacted by the toxic drug crisis," she said during council's Feb. 3 meeting. "Recently an alarming number of young people are being affected and this requires a targeted and tailored approach."
Martin said early intervention and recovery programs provide the best long-term results, and the resolution focused on people aged 18 years old to 28 years old.
“This is a lost group of people, they’re marginalized,” she said.
Coun. Mary Beil said although numerous AVICC resolutions have addressed the issue, "they do not necessarily go into the needs, or an approach perhaps, and treatment that might look different for the younger group of vulnerable.”
She added that the human brain continues to develop until the age of approximately 25.
“I see on our streets some young kids, which are younger than 18 actually, that this motion talks about, being affected by this crisis," Coun. Amit Gaur said. "I don’t know what impact this will have, but if that 18 can be lowered, even, because we are seeing kids as young as 13, 12 being into addictions.”
The motion was carried unanimously.
The AVICC advocates for municipalities, regional districts, and other local governments across Vancouver Island and coastal B.C.
Each spring, it holds a convention where members vote on resolutions, some of which are carried forward to the Union of BC Municipalities convention in the fall — key for gaining provincial funding.
The 2025 convention is scheduled for April 11 to April 13 in Nanaimo.
