Veteran Saskatoon police officer shares front-line look at downtown homelessness, addiction crisis

, an assistant professor in the department of sociology at the University of Saskatchewan, agreed that involuntary treatment is not the answer.

She said that people need to be met where they are at in their recovery journey and forced treatment can often do more harm than good.

Fornssler emphasized the importance of creating a continuum of care that includes a variety of services to support individuals in their recovery, whether that be harm reduction, treatment facilities, or supportive housing.

She also stressed the need for a trauma-informed approach to care, recognizing that many individuals dealing with addiction have experienced trauma in their lives.

As the debate over how best to address the drug crisis in Saskatoon continues, Sgt. Chris Harris will continue to patrol the downtown core, ready to respond to emergencies like the overdose we witnessed during our walk-along.

For him, the solution lies in providing comprehensive care for those struggling with addiction and homelessness, even if it means considering controversial measures like involuntary treatment.

As the city grapples with the rising number of overdoses and the strain it puts on emergency responders, the need for a coordinated and compassionate approach to addressing addiction and homelessness has never been more urgent.