Affidavit of Michael Bear - Phoenix Sinclair Inquiry

II.
TO EXAMINE CERTAIN SOCIAL FACTORS (AVAIL-
ABILITY OF "STREET DRUGS" AND SEXUAL
EXPLOITATION OF YOUTH) THAT APPEAR TO HAVE
PLAYED A ROLE IN HER DEATH.
[13] After hearing the evidence surrounding the hanging death of Tracia
Owen, seeing the photographs of the scene of her death in an abandoned,
filthy garage with a mattress and various drug paraphernalia, one wonders
what could possibly lead a fourteen year old to a life of crack cocaine, sex
on the streets and ultimately to her tragic death in such conditions.
[14] Witnesses such as Rebecca Wilson, Brittanie Chartrand, Detective
Sergeant Coates and the dedicated staff who work with these children paint a
sad and tragic picture of a too common aspect of our inner city.
[15] Rebecca Wilson, literally, drew a picture depicting their activities on
the Victor Street corner during the course of a day. (Exhibit 4)
[16] The inquiry had the advantage of having two female youths, friends of
Tracia Owen, experiencing the same lifestyle, who painted a vivid picture of
life on the streets.
[17] The first, Rebecca Wilson, through the use of a drawing she drew
depicted a life on the street — everyday spending endless time on the street,
engaging in sexual activities, receiving money, purchasing crack or other
illegal drugs, smoking, being threatened, sleeping on a mattress in an
abandoned garage. This occurring in the middle of the city on a busy
thoroughfare at all times of the day and night by fourteen year old females or
younger.
[18] A second similar witness, Brittanie Chartrand, on the street at thirteen
years of age, told a similar story of drugs, owing drug debts, need to work
the streets to repay the debt and to buy more drugs — "make all mv problems
go awav". She emphasized that "vou do stupid things when vou are on
drugs".
[19] These two individuals were either with Tracia Owen prior to her
suicide or awoke to see her hanging
would be too late.
and took action to get help albeit, help
[20] These witnesses offered some hope in that they appeared to be turning
their lives around for the better but also they gave some practical
suggestions when asked.