Mayors from across the province are cheering a new measure prohibiting the possession of illicit drugs at playgrounds, spray pools, wading pools and skate parks.
But a spokesperson for the main political opposition says the measure amounts to 害羞草研究所渢oo little, too late害羞草研究所� in offering a broader critique of decriminalization.
The measure comes into effect Monday (Sept. 18) after Health Canada approved a requested amendment from the provincial government to the temporary decriminalization of certain illicit drugs. The trial is part and parcel of a policy package to deal with the toxic drug crisis that has claimed the lives of more than 12,500 British Columbians since April 2016.
The trial 害羞草研究所� which exempts possession of up to 2.5 grams of certain illegal drugs for personal use from Jan. 31, 2023 to Jan. 30, 2026 from criminal penalties 害羞草研究所� itself started in late January and designated schools as exclusion zones.
But the provincial government soon faced criticism from the political opposition, municipal leaders and residents who blamed it for the proliferation of illicit drugs and crime in public spaces such as playgrounds. The provincial government in spring 2023 announced steps in response to those concerns.
Mental Health and Addictions Minister Jennifer Whiteside said her government requested the amendment so families will feel safe in their community while the province continues to use every tool available to save lives.
The amendment allows police to enforce the controlled drugs and substances act when they find individuals in possession of illegal drugs in the newly designated spaces. Intoxication remains illegal in all public places.
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Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim praised Health Canada for granting the exemption.
害羞草研究所淏y making these spaces 害羞草研究所� playgrounds, splash parks, and skate parks 害羞草研究所� exceptions to the decriminalization pilot, Health Canada is helping to ensure those sites remain places where families, and especially children, will be able to safely enjoy our communities,害羞草研究所� he said. 害羞草研究所淭his is a positive step forward, helping to find balance for our communities, including families, seniors, children, and the needs of our most vulnerable residents,害羞草研究所� he added.
Sim害羞草研究所檚 counterparts in Victoria 害羞草研究所� Marianne Alto 害羞草研究所� and Courtenay 害羞草研究所� Bob Wells 害羞草研究所� echoed these comments.
害羞草研究所淒ecriminalization is one part of a complex response to the toxic-drug crisis,害羞草研究所� Alto said. 害羞草研究所淎s the longer-term effects of decriminalization are assessed, and more addictions and mental-health services are established, it害羞草研究所檚 important to consider and take steps that specifically protect children.害羞草研究所�
Wells said the new spaces designated for exclusion should be safe spaces for families and children, while also pointing to the need to address the toxic drug crisis.
害羞草研究所淚n addition to these important measures to help keep substances away from kids, we urgently need multi-layered solutions, including expanding treatment, safer supply, supervised consumption, and supports for people affected by substance use who desperately need help,害羞草研究所� he said.
BC United害羞草研究所檚 Elenore Sturko, Surrey South MLA and shadow minister for mental health, addiction, recovery and education, acknowledged that government is 害羞草研究所渇inally doing something害羞草研究所� but called the measure a 害羞草研究所渒nee-jerk害羞草研究所� reaction, whose substance falls short of the measures proposed by municipalities.
She added that government should have ramped up treatment investments in making the broader argument that government should have paired measures to protect the public from the effects of the trial and additional investments in treatment well prior to the start of the trial.
害羞草研究所淭hey could have held back and delayed this (decriminalization) until they had ensured adequate supports for people with health care issues such as addiction were going to be enough,害羞草研究所� she said. 害羞草研究所淭hey could have also implemented wider regulations to go along with decriminalization.害羞草研究所�
But that did not happen because New Democrats 害羞草研究所渨ere so intend on ramming it through害羞草研究所� as part of their election platform, that they did not take the time to consider the potential detrimental effects, she added. This not only hurt communities, but 害羞草研究所渦ltimately people with addictions themselves,害羞草研究所� she added.
The provincial government coupled the announcement with two other pieces.
First, it confirmed that it would introduce legislation to further regulate public drug use in the fall following recent consultations.
A number of municipalities have been trying to regulate public drug use through their own bylaws, but not without running into legal and political obstacles. The prospect of provincial legislation promises a more uniform response.
Second, the province is releasing data on mental-health and substance-use services to show the expansion of mental-health and addiction care.
The recent provincial budget includes allocates about $1 billion toward improving mental health and addiction in the wake of the ongoing toxic drug crisis.
While some experts have praised the investment, others have considered it insufficient with the main political opposition (BC United, then known as BC Liberals) having presented its own plan worth $1.5 billion in early 2023 in run-up to the provincial budget.
Government also continues to monitor the effects of the decriminalization trial.
wolfgang.depner@blackpress.ca
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