A peer research project confirms that police have become the de facto first responders for drug and mental health issues
Cuts to health services and income supports for people living in poverty, including those with disabilities involving mental health and illicit drug use, have contributed to a situation where police now act as de facto “first responders” to health-related issues on city streets. The costs of policing poverty are high, and are not limited to the financial costs of spending more on approaches that do not work.
A recent study [opens to PDF] conducted by The Vancouver Island Public Interest Research Group at University of Victoria explores the social costs of policing poverty by documenting the experiences and perspectives of members of the street community with regards to policing in Victoria, British Columbia. The research was guided by an advisory committee and used a peer research methodology.
We speak with Mark Willson, research coordinator at VIPIRG.
