@shoshanb - I agree that the response system we have is not what is needed, nor the best system we could have. 

I also believe that there is no way that Vancouver should be directly responsible for finding a solution, and to raise property taxes to pay for this. Addiction and the mental illness that so often accompanies it, is cross border, and directly impacted by Provincial policies.  

Fire trucks are not the answer, but until such time that the Province digs into it's pocket to provide funding, digs into it's heart to find empathy, and discovers where it buried it's sense of responsibility, then using all avenues of first response is all we have.

Vision Vancouver needs to actively and loudly lobby the Province, and hold them to account.