Small companies report difficulties with open drug use, vandalism, and theft.
Emily Flint is keeping a close eye on customers as they walk past her café on St. George Street in the heart of downtown Moncton on a crisp January afternoon.
She claimed to witness at least one drug overdose on the sidewalk every day. Flint has gone outside to assist people and conceals overdose reversal kits behind her cash register.
“In our daily lives, we really need to utilize CPR and Narcan,” the speaker stated, alluding to the drug naloxone, which is intended to undo the effects of an opioid overdose that is either confirmed or suspected.
Flint stated, “It starts to wear on the soul.”
The largest city in New Brunswick is reporting that its downtown businesses are feeling the effects of a growing addiction and homelessness crisis.
The executive director of Downtown Moncton Centre-ville, Patrick Richard, claims that businesses in the downtown area are still worried about an increase in theft, vandalism, break-ins, and customer safety.
About three years ago, Flint set up shop in the Groggy Frog Café a short distance from two homeless shelters. She claimed to have seen people injecting opioids in the restroom and to have seen numerous people going through mental health crises in the café.
Flint said that she tries to help people since she herself overcame addiction. She began gathering donations for those in need a year ago. She has attempted to provide naloxone kits, personal hygiene products, and warm clothing.
“We’re making every effort. We will continue to feed patrons who enter the café, but as for me, I no longer have the energy to go out into the community and give out food,” she remarked. “It’s incredibly defeating.”
In Moncton, there are approximately 400 individuals who are homeless in the city according to the most recent point-in-time count, which provides a snapshot of the homeless population. More than a third of those sleeping rough outside of shelters, according to the survey, have increased significantly over the previous two years.
