For the last three years in a row in B.C. more than 2,000 people have lost their lives to toxic drugs each year. That’s more than five people a day.
The north is no exception, in fact, by health authority, the highest rates of death per 100,000 population in 2023 have been in Northern Health.
Last year, in Smithers, two sisters lost their lives within 24 hours of each other. Their names were Krysta and Diandra.
The flags at town hall were not lowered, their deaths didn’t make the news and I never even saw a GoFundMe page trying to raise money for funeral expenses. But these women mattered. They were someone’s daughters. They were young mothers. They had friends and I’m sure they had hopes and dreams.
Last week, Smithers residents got a chance to explore BC Housing’s idea for a new supportive housing complex.
It is slated to go on the same block as town hall and Goodacre Place. It will be a stone’s throw from Main Street and amenities. It seems like the ideal location.
The development will see up to 40 new supportive housing units in a three-story building on Alfred Avenue. Last year, BC Housing came to the table with an offer to buy the Capri Motor Inn and turn it into supportive housing. Community members said no, and council didn’t feel they could go ahead supporting the project without the communtiy behind them.
But the town and BC Housing are trying again.
Supportive housing has on-site services for single adults, seniors and people with disabilities at risk of or experiencing homelessness. In 2023, 57 people in Smithers were identified as experiencing homelessness compared to 33 in 2021, an increase of 73 per cent.
Let me be clear, the supportive housing project for Alfred Ave, is not a detox or a rehab centre. It is not an emergency shelter.
But it is a safe home for those struggling with low income or disabilities. What if Smithers had enough spaces for people who needed it? Would that help keep some from coping with drugs, knowing they had a safe place to be and feel supported?
Would it have stopped the sisters from going done a destructive path and maybe, just maybe saved their lives? There are a lot of what-ifs and a lot of maybes in this scenario. But if we, as a community, are not doing everything in our power to help our neighbours, we are failing.
Turning a blind eye to those who are experiencing homelessness doesn’t solve the issue. Trying to ship people with addiction issues out of the community isn’t the answer either.
Smithers needs more supportive housing and there needs to be more available, closer places to get help with addictions and other social issues.
We have one of those options in front of us now. Let’s be open to BC Housing’s offer to build a supportive housing complex on Alfred Avenue. Let’s be kind to our neighbours and let’s push for more resources to help those who need it.