Calgarians split on issue of safe injection sites
Posted Jan 18, 2017 11:31 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Calgarians are divided when it comes to safe injection sites.
A new poll from Mainstreet for Postmedia finds 41 per cent of citizens are unsure whether the sites would do anything to combat a growing number of fentanyl overdoses.
Another 41 per cent would support the idea moving forward.
“We’re seeing a much different picture in Calgary than we are in other cities,” David Valentin, Executive VP of Mainstreet Research, said.
Valentin explains, there hasn’t been the same kind of conversation about these sites, as there has been in Edmonton, Ottawa, Toronto or Montreal.
“There’s been less discussion, so, it is to be expected that people don’t know enough about it. Perhaps if there was more full discussion they would feel more strongly for it, or more strongly against it,” he said.
Valentin says the further east they asked, the less was known about the fentanyl crisis in general.
“It does look like more people in Calgary are following this than in other cities,” he said.
The poll found 36 per cent of Calgarians do not believe recreational drugs are more dangerous than they were three years ago.
However, 37 per cent recognized a decrease in safety.
“Younger Calgarians, especially those 18-34 and 35-49 — they’re the ones that are most aware of the effects of the drug,” Valentin said.
Valentin says Mainstreet will be watching the issue closely, as mayors meet in Ottawa Friday to talk about the fentanyl crisis.
