Author(s): Erica Charron, Laura Canfield
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The West Broadway Methamphetamine Strategy was born from the collaborative efforts and communal concerns of members who sit on the West Broadway Directors Network (WBDN), a committee spearheaded by the West Broadway Community Organization. In 2015, members of WBDN voiced concerns about the rising use of injectable drugs—most specifically concern for people using the drugs, and the associated issues such as the spike in property crimes, littered needles on the street, and the safety of resident businesses and organizations.

This report, the West Broadway Community Methamphetamine Strategy, authored by Manitoba Research Alliance authors Erica Charron and Laura Canfield, outlines the background, methodology and direction of the community strategy.

Recommendations
These recommendations are intended to complement and build upon the research in this report and to align with the important work being done by others to improve how we respond to the complex issues related to methamphetamine use in Winnipeg. The strategy focuses on 6 primary actions.

 

  1. Forming a West Broadway Community Strategy Team
  2. Creating a Community Capacity Building Hub Within the WBDN Membership
  3. Call Upon All Levels of Government to Take Responsibility for the Ongoing Methamphetamine Issue and Invest in Adequately Supported, Diverse, and Tailored Substance Use Support Options
  4. Investigate the Acquisition of Available Public Facilities and/or Privately Listed Building to Repurpose into a 24/7 Safe Space and Supported Housing Units for People Struggling with Substance Abuse
  5. Call on the City and Province to Establish a Comprehensive Harm Reduction Strategy with Clear Targets and Timelines
  6. Develop a Streamlined Partnership with Health Service Providers such as the WRHA, Nine Circles Community Health Centre, and Klinic Community Health Centre to Address Specific Mental Health Gaps Within the Neighbourhood


Grant: Partnering for Change: Community-Based Solutions for Aboriginal and Inner-City Poverty - 2012-2019
Category: Housing and Neighbourhood Revitalization, Justice, Safety and Security