Penticton calling for urgent action on mental health and addictions crisis

Penticton city council says there is an 'immediate' need for a Car 40 program that pairs a mental health professional with an RCMP officer in responding to mental health calls.

City council will lay out the need for partners in creating a safe, secure and healthy community to as many provincial cabinet ministers who will listen at the upcoming Union of B.C. Municipalities

"Our goal this year at UBCM is to keep these issues alive, not to let them slide onto the backburner until there's a major flare-up that grabs the media's attention," said Mayor John Vassilaki. "Council has taken many steps towards creating a safer community but we're at the stage where we need partners to step up and take action. The issues remain and we can't do this alone."

The Car 40 program has the support of Penticton's top cop and other organizations but there's been no movement from Interior Health.

"We have a motion urging the province to support a provincial program with appropriate and sustainable funding," said Vassilaki. "We're going straight to Health Minister Adrian Dix and Mental Health and Addictions Minister Sheila Malcolmson. The province says all the right words and we'll be looking for the right actions – funding."

The city has requested meetings with Municipal Affairs Minister Nathan Cullen, Minister of Health Adrian Dix, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Sheila Malcolmson and Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth to discuss the urgent need for action.

Penticton RCMP Supt. Brian Hunter has told council previously that officers are not trained to deal with mental health issues and yet that is what the majority of their calls deal with. He said having an expert join them would make a huge difference and help those experiencing a mental health crisis.

Kelowna city council has been asking for their Car 40 program to expand beyond the limited amount they get right now but so far have been refused by IH.

At the UBCM, city councillors will be speaking to colleagues about all the challenges they face with the lack of support for addictions and mental health.

Providing appropriate housing is one of those issues, as a recent survey completed by BC Housing identified major gaps in the types of accommodation and services provided to those who are suffering from trauma, addiction and mental health in Penticton.

"We're worried there is going to be a significant slowing of support due to the extreme changes at BC Housing," said Vassilaki.

Recently, the province fired the board of directors of BC Housing, followed by the CEO resigning.

MLA David Eby was in charge of BC Housing but has stepped away as he pursues his leadership run.

"We have a simple request of the province: work with us and let's do it right. All of our residents deserve to feel safe and cared for and unilateral actions don't do that."

As well, the ongoing challenge of 'catch-and-release' of prolific offenders is on the agenda.

"It's a problem plaguing communities across the province and we need the provincial government to do something about it," said Vassilaki. "The RCMP are doing everything they can but 20 prolific offenders in Penticton are averaging more than 90 contacts. It's not sustainable for the officers and it's creating challenges for residents. It needs to stop."

Council is travelling to Whistler between Sept. 12 and 16 to attend UBCM. This annual event brings together local government and First Nations to identify key policy issues and engage with representatives of the provincial and federal governments.

A complete itinerary of council's meetings, workshops and clinics will be released next week.

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