Bay of Quinte MP Ryan Williams was among those who met with Belleville Mayor Neil Ellis and Belleville Police Chief Mike Callaghan on Wednesday following a rash of overdoses in the city on Tuesday. He released the following statement:
Bay of Quinte MP Ryan Williams “We Need to Act Now to Combat the Drug Problems in Bay of Quinte”
February 7, 2024
Immediate release – On Tuesday February 6, 2024 Belleville Police Services declared an overdose emergency after local emergency services responded to 13 overdoses in one hour. Last fall, there was a batch of narcotics that resulted in 90 overdoses in the span of one week.
Bay of Quinte MP Ryan Williams blames the ongoing drug epidemic on recent Liberal-NDP policies that decriminalize drug dealers.
MP Williams says, “Bill C-75 allows repeat offender drug dealers to be released on bail within hours of arrest, who then often go and promptly offend once again. Police will tell you this has unleashed crime and chaos in our communities. Added to this is the government’s Bill C-5 which allows house arrest for these criminals, even those with a long rap sheet. This means that rather than being in jail, they can just walk out their front door, and be on the streets again immediately.”
MP Williams says, “Our current federal government has decriminalized dangerous drugs. This experiment has spiraled into overdoses and fatalities in our hometowns. It is heartbreaking and infuriating to see the increased drug problem and crime wave after eight years of this Liberal Government. Police do not have the tools to put criminals away.”
MP Williams says we need drug treatment facilities to bring our loved ones home. MP Williams says, “I have spoken with Belleville Police Chief Callaghan about this drug situation. I support Chief Callaghan’s call for a detox treatment facility. Our tax dollars are being depleted dealing with the addiction epidemic in our community.” MP Williams has also met with CMHA on the need for treatment beds, of which Bay of Quinte currently has none. MP Williams says, “To bring our loved ones home, we need treatment and rehabilitation. I will continue to work with Belleville Mayor Neil Ellis, Chief Callaghan and Bay of Quinte MPP Todd Smith on federal solutions to these big issues.”
