Vancouver holds public forum on fentanyl crisis

The City of Vancouver held a public forum on the ongoing fentanyl crisis Thursday night.

Representatives from Vancouver Coastal Health andVancouver policespoke, along withadvocateLeslie McBain, whose 25-year-old son died of an overdose in 2014.

Nearly 200 people packed city hall to take part in discussing the crisis, which has only grown in magnitude as the months have passed.

"We don't have the numbers for November but we believe it will be the worst month ever," said Dr. Patricia Day, chief medical health officerwith VancouverCoastal Health.

"I can tell you the nurses in B.C. are exhausted dealing with this crisis," said Gayle Duteil,president of the B.C. Nurses' Union.

"We have nurses working 16 hour shifts. They're resuscitating people in waiting rooms. It takes not only a physical toll but an emotional toll."

Delta, Surrey, and Maple Ridge have also had community meetings on the crisis over the past few months.

Police officers in Delta and Maple Ridgehave had forums at local high schools, while several health authoritieshave had public talksinhospitals.

More than 620 people have died from drug overdoses this year alone a 30-year high that prompted B.C.'s chief health officer to declare a public health emergency.

Mayor Gregor Robertson says health care is ultimately the solution and is the province's responsibility. At the same time, his government is consideringa half per cent increase in property tax to pay for more resources to fight the crisis.

"Support more medics, more outreach workers, more people that can save lives. That's our primary role here," he said.

City council votes on the taxnext Tuesday.