Recorded vote

That with respect to Aldermen J. Mar, D. Hodges and S. Keating’s item of Urgent Business, Green Sheet, Addictions Education and Prevention Awareness Initiatives, the following be adopted, as amended: WHEREAS there has recently been nine reported Alberta deaths and many others hospitalised directly linked to the usage of an "ecstasy-like" drug containing high levels of PMMA (paramethoxymethamphetamine); WHEREAS there is an imminent crisis facing the community creating serious public health and safety concerns; WHEREAS despite significant reporting in the media with respect to the deaths and injuries caused by the use of "ecstasy" people continue to use this substance; WHEREAS it is essential to mitigate associated risks in a preventative, coordinated, strategic and responsive manner; WHEREAS the Council endorsed Calgary’s Community Addictions Strategy prioritizes a comprehensive approach to addressing addictions through a pillar model; WHEREAS prevention through public awareness and education is a critical lever to addressing addictions related issues such as illicit drug use, its risks, and consequences; WHEREAS such preventative education campaigns have been proven effective with other serious issues like impaired driving and gangs; NOW THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED that the Administration be directed to coordinate with Alberta Health Services, Calgary Police Service, Animal & Bylaw Services, Community and Neighbourhood Services and other appropriate community partners to undertake addictions education and awareness initiatives with a short term focus on "ecstasy" and a longer term focus on creating a sustainable integrated addictions systems for education and prevention, healing and recovery and community safety and that funding of up to $150,000 from the Fiscal Stability Reserve be approved to undertake this work as an emergency issue, and to report to Council with findings, through the Standing Policy Committee on Community and Protective Services no later than June 2012, contingent on matching contributions from other Orders of Government.