The City of Penticton says a conversation is needed about the issues of homelessness, mental health problems and addiction.

Peter Weeber, Penticton害羞草研究所檚 chief administrative officer, has been collecting photos of instances of these problems around Penticton.

害羞草研究所淚 think the one that really resonated with me is the guy rolling joints and drinking beer in the kid害羞草研究所檚 skateboard park,害羞草研究所� said Weeber, marvelling at the man害羞草研究所檚 lack of concern that someone might take action.

Weeber said he has also seen public evidence of drug addiction and homelessness.

害羞草研究所淭here is no one to help these people, so I am wondering if a positive step forward is to start engaging a conversation,害羞草研究所� said Weeber. These issues fall under provincial and federal jurisdictions, but the city is the immediate focus for people demanding change.

害羞草研究所淚害羞草研究所檝e been getting daily phone calls and emails and letters saying that mayor and council have to fix homelessness, drug addiction and mental health,害羞草研究所� said Weeber. 害羞草研究所淲e have limited resources. We are water, roads, sewer, recreation, policing and fire. That害羞草研究所檚 our mandate.害羞草研究所�

That doesn害羞草研究所檛 mean the City of Penticton is ignoring these issues. They have been involved in the past, working to support local agencies and lobbying senior levels of governments and agencies.

害羞草研究所淲e害羞草研究所檙e dealing with mental health, addictions and homelessness, which are large social issues that are bigger than the city in terms of our ability and our mandate,害羞草研究所� said Mayor Andrew Jakubeit. 害羞草研究所淲e have helped in the past, partnering with B.C. Housing and giving some land and trying to help with rezoning and facilitating.害羞草研究所�

The city has also been working with and supporting 100 Home Penticton, which has a goal of providing housing and supports to 100 vulnerable people in the community by July 2018.

A homeless man who had set up camp behind the Main Street McDonald害羞草研究所檚 brought the problem to a forefront, according to Jakubeit, when it generated a stir on social media.

Jakubeit said the man is getting help finding a new location through the Martin Street Outreach Clinic, and his site is being packed up.

害羞草研究所淲e really need to figure out a solution. I think some of the local Facebook commenters think it is isolated to Penticton,害羞草研究所� said Jakubeit. 害羞草研究所淚t is all over the place and it is becoming a crisis throughout the province and the country.害羞草研究所�

Weeber agreed with the word crisis, saying that problem implies someone is doing something wrong.

害羞草研究所淚 don害羞草研究所檛 think the city is doing anything wrong, and I don害羞草研究所檛 think the people that are helping are doing anything wrong. I think this is a crisis that needs to be managed in a different way than we are going now. That害羞草研究所檚 not easy,害羞草研究所� said Weeber.

The RCMP are planning a public forum for July 12 on policing and public safety. Jakubeit expects these issues will be brought up there. He calls it a pivotal opportunity to hear what the RCMP plans are to deal with safety issues, but also hear some ideas from the community and other service providers.

Jakubeit said another complication is that an addict can害羞草研究所檛 be forced to stop taking drugs or where to take them, or a homeless person to take shelter that gets provided to them.

害羞草研究所淭hey need to want to change or accept the offer. It is very frustrating and beginning to come to a boiling point,害羞草研究所� said Jakubeit. 害羞草研究所淲e need to put more pressure on, most notably on the provincial government because the Health Authority falls under them as well.害羞草研究所�

The next step, Jakubeit said, is the July 12 RCMP town hall meeting and then a community symposium on mental health, addictions, and homelessness.

害羞草研究所淲e have had success with 100 homes Penticton; which is linking non-profits and faith-based groups with a common vision, and they have made some progress,害羞草研究所� said Jakubeit. 害羞草研究所淣ow we need to connect and link the various agencies with 100 Homes and the greater community to create some solutions to implement.害羞草研究所�