Location, Location, Location (1st Meeting)

Description

Toxic drug related deaths are on the rise in Toronto. Emergency medical services are inundated with calls daily to respond to the crisis. For our group’s conflict scenario, we are utilizing these real life circumstances as a backdrop for our interpersonal conflict. For our scenario, a fictitious municipality has received funding and would like to put it towards finding a solution to the toxic drug crisis that affects their community. In this made-up municipality, town councillors have proposed instituting a safe consumption site as the solution. The debate has become more heated because there is not enough money in the funds to build a new structure and the only vacant building is located near a daycare center. The councillors want to make an informed decision, so they amalgamate an interdisciplinary team of professionals to write a report about the possible pros and cons of opening a safe consumption site at this location. The members of the interdisciplinary team either represent a different discipline, level of experience or opinion based on lived experience. All are passionate about their position and about helping the population they serve. During their discussion that influences the report, the professionals allow their personal perspectives and experiences to influence their opinion. This inevitably creates tension and interpersonal conflicts arise among them. The site is planned to be open in the fall, as the allocated funds must be spent by year’s end, so expediency is required.