Local advocate, and former addict, encourages council to assemble group to work at eliminating problem
Another step taken by the City of Welland to fight homelessness and addiction.
Council has unanimously supported the creation of a committee, to be largely comprised of former addicts and homeless people.
Resident Steven Soos, a former addict, says for him the best way to recover was working with other addicts. "I'm a big proponent of putting more therapeutic approaches in the mental health care system, because simply locking someone up who has a mental health concern, doesn't do a thing for their human dignity, and their continued recovery."
He was also very grateful to many Welland councillors for encouraging him to recover, after his years of abuse.
He fought for a State of Emergency on the problem, but adds it's only getting worse. "We need to work diligently, and we need to remind Wellanders that we have not forgotten about the State of Emergency, and that we are going to do everything in our power, including working with the region, and the provincial emergency operation centre, to get the job done."
Councillor Sharmila Setaram added the Association of Muncipalities of Ontario has workshops for politicians to learn from.
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