Market Nightmare Needs More Than A Nightmayor

A nightmayor can’t solve these problems.

July saw the Ottawa Paramedic Service begin treating drug overdoses in the ByWard Market. One paramedic has been allocated to patrol the area 12 hours a day, seven days per week. Is this sufficient?

During the first week, the lone paramedic answered 65 calls with 25 of those patients being sent to hospital for treatment. Clearly, re-evaluation of having only one paramedic on duty is needed. It wouldn’t take too long for burn-out to settle in.

The market area has a toxic drug supply just waiting for the next victim. Two supervised consumption sites in community health centers were closed temporarily because of fumes from the drugs being heated. New, unregulated, and very dangerous drugs are now on the streets and are said to be 10 times more toxic than fentanyl and 1,500 times more toxic than morphine.

How does the city go about cleaning up the market with the intent of enticing residents to the restaurants, shops and bistros knowing that the next overdose is just around the corner?

It will take more than a nightmayor to clean up this mess.

Donna Mulvihill is a community activist and former hospital coordinator

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