Belleville Declares State of Emergency Following Surge in Drug Overdoses

The City of Belleville has declared a state of emergency in response to a growing number of drug overdoses that is leaving local emergency personnel, hospitals, and municipal services “close to a breaking point.” Mayor Neil Ellis announced the state of emergency on Feb. 8, saying the small southeastern Ontario city simply does not have the resources it needs to cope with the ongoing “crisis.” “The past few days have shown just how critical the addiction, mental health and homelessness crisis has become,” Mr. Ellis told The Epoch Times in a phone interview on Feb. 8. “We, as a city, know that we are at the point where doing our best doesn’t cut it anymore,” he said, adding that the city’s resources are “being stretched to the very limits and we are close to a breaking point.”...