They live on a small street in downtown Montreal called “Crack Alley”. Since the CACTUS Supervised Injection Center opened in front of their building seven years ago, they say they have been living in insecurity, unsanitary conditions, fear of being assaulted – and it happened to one of them.
Tenants of social housing in the city can no longer afford it. They are demanding the relocation of CACTUS, which, according to them, does not adequately meet the needs of users.
But they deny it’s “not in my backyard.”
“We are not against injection sites, it is an essential service. But at the moment, the service is not properly provided and the situation has become intolerable,” Guy Robert, chairman of the board of directors of the non-profit Un Toit en Ville, condemned in a press conference on Thursday.
Photo by Martin Chamberland, The Press
Guy Robert
Because the CACTUS premises are not large enough to meet demand, users take their drugs on the sidewalks of Rue Berger and even inside buildings in the area, where they break, Mr. Robert says.
They leave behind dirty syringes, feces and other debris, and are loud and threaten residents who dare to ask them to leave their building, he adds.
Guy Robert says residents are also concerned about the conditions in which drug users find themselves. “There was an overabundance in an alcove on the street,” he says. If we see someone lying on the floor, we don’t wonder if they’re sleeping, we call 911. These are not decent living conditions. »
“We participated in a group of good neighbors, we asked for interventions, and a chemical toilet was installed,” laments Nancy Laurente, administrator of Unroof en Ville.
Photo by Martin Chamberland, The Press
A dry toilet has been installed for people to stay on the street.
Needles in sidewalks
According to them, CACTUS services should be provided 24 hours a day instead of 12 hours (2 pm to 2 am) as currently provided. The premises should also be large enough so that all users can take their medication inside.
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Photo provided by a rooftop in the city
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Photo provided by a rooftop in the city
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Photo provided by a rooftop in the city
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Photo provided by a rooftop in the city
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Photo provided by a rooftop in the city
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Photo provided by a rooftop in the city
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Photo provided by a rooftop in the city
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Photo provided by a rooftop in the city
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Photo provided by a rooftop in the city
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At present, they inject materials all the time on the corridors as representatives of the beneficiaries Pres Was able to see around 11 am.
Jean-François Mary, director general of CACTUS, says he is concerned about street attacks. But he believes one step can change the problem.
“Not in my backyard” everywhere. It shows the stigma of this customer, no one wants to keep these people around,” he laments.
At the same time, he explains that the CIUSSS chose the location of the supervised injection site, and that Quebec is funding it with 1.5 million a year. “Our priority is to meet the needs of our customers and save lives,” he said. If we close the door for one day, that means two overdose deaths. »
According to him, the situation on Berger Street is a reflection of the increase in homelessness and drug use in the metropolis, problems that require long-term solutions.
Alain Vaillancourt, head of public safety for the city of Montreal’s executive committee, has no viable solution to propose to “crack alley” residents.
“It is unfortunate that these people have to experience this on a daily basis, the current situation is unacceptable,” he replied. But CACTUS services are essential for vulnerable populations. »
He argued that the city had installed trash cans and a chemical toilet on the street and demanded a greater presence on the scene of the police and its Mobile Mediation and Community Intervention Team (ÉMMIS).
He promises to “review the situation”.
But ultimately, he asks again, as municipalities have long said, provincial and federal governments are investing too much to deal with the crisis and housing crisis, which is driving people directly onto the streets.
