Hastings-Quinte Paramedic Chief Carl Bowker (right) speaks during a media conference at Belleville City Hall on Feb. 7, 2024 as officials responded to a surge in overdoses.
After a surge in suspected drug overdoses pushed emergency crews in Belleville, Ont., near the breaking point this week, the number of calls is dropping back to normal, according to the area's head of emergency services.Hastings-Quinte paramedic Chief Carl Bowker, right, speaks during a media conference in Belleville, Ont., on Wednesday as officials responded to a surge in overdoses. After a surge in suspected drug overdoses pushed emergency crews in Belleville, Ont.
The City of Belleville declared an addiction, mental health and homelessness emergency on Thursday, calling on the provincial and federal governments for support. A Belleville police cruiser sits near the Bridge Street United Church on Feb. 7, 2024, a day after numerous people suffered drug overdoses in the area.
Officials and community organizations have spent the past 48 hours working on a solution, the chief said, but they need help.Neil Ellis, the city's mayor, has said he hopes other levels of government will step up. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Ontario Premier Doug Ford were asked directly about the issue during a media conference on Friday.Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says toxic drugs aren't just hitting Canada's cities, but also smaller communities with fewer resources, such as Belleville, Ont. 'It requires us to step up and respond,' he said.
"This phenomenon of toxic drug supply is not just hitting our biggest cities. They're hitting small towns and communities … right across the country," Trudeau said.
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