An MLA is calling for a provincewide ban on drug use in municipal parks and playgrounds, as several B.C. communities have started looking into their own bylaws.

Kamloops-North Thompson MLA Peter Milobar said a ban would cut through the current confusion around the ability of municipalities to pass bylaws around drug consumption.

He called for a ban during Tuesday害羞草研究所檚 (May 2) Question Period and pushed again for the ban Wednesday during a news conference.

害羞草研究所淩ight now, we are getting mixed messages from the government,害羞草研究所� said Milobar, a BC United MLA.

Milobar claimed the confusion is around the municipal affairs ministry telling local governments they can pass their bylaws because they know best, but the addictions ministry is saying if it害羞草研究所檚 a health bylaw it needs their approval and oversight.

害羞草研究所淭hey are both somewhat right and that害羞草研究所檚 why what makes this very confusing. If you pass it as a nuisance bylaw, you can pass it. If you pass it with more of a health focus, then the Health Act starts to kick in.害羞草研究所�

Milobar said BC United supports decriminalization, but added the federal exemption letter calls for guardrails, which the ban would be the 害羞草研究所渕ost basic害羞草研究所� guardrail.

He also dismissed suggestions that such a provincewide ban would be heavy-handed in pointing out that school districts across the province already have such rules in place. While it is unrealistic to expect that public drug use would not take place, a ban would give enforcement officers the ability to move people along and point them toward the necessary resources, he said.

害羞草研究所淚f you are in a playground setting 害羞草研究所� I don害羞草研究所檛 think it is unreasonable that a mother taking her eight-year-old to go play on swings and slides should be able to have a little bit of a reprieve from the daily chaos that we are seeing on our streets and let the child just play in an area as safe as possible.害羞草研究所�

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Milobar害羞草研究所檚 comments come after Kamloops council passed a bylaw banning illicit drug use within 100 metres of municipal parks or playgrounds and on any sidewalk. Milobar is a former Kamloops mayor.

Kamloops害羞草研究所� decision runs counter to an appeal from Interior Health asking local governments in the southern Interior to hold off on any bylaws banning drug use in parks. The letter calls on local governments to monitor the effects of decriminalization for six month before passing such bylaws.

Multiple B.C. municipalities have respond to the federal governments害羞草研究所� pilot program decriminalizing possession of up to 2.5 grams of illicit drugs effective since Jan. 31.

banning illicit drugs in select public parks.

on its proposed bylaw.

In North Cowichan councillors Tek Manhas and Bruce Findlay cracked open beers while sitting next to an overdose-prevention site to protest the public consumption of illicit substances.

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Campbell River, meanwhile, has revived previously dropped plans for a bylaw. Its second attempt frames the bylaw as a nuisance bylaw.

The Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions said in a statement to Black Press Media that municipalities must consider the advice and information from medical health officers.

害羞草研究所淭his applies to any bylaw under the nuisance provision that may have health implications,害羞草研究所� it reads. Bylaws that fall under public health bylaws regulation are also 害羞草研究所渟ubject to approval by or deposit with, the Ministry of Health.害羞草研究所�

The statement says local governments can use a range of regulation to address substance use and public disorder. 害羞草研究所淒ecriminalization will not change the ability of local governments to pass bylaws,害羞草研究所� it reads. 害羞草研究所淗owever, implementing blanket bylaws broadly that prohibit public consumption of illicit drugs and fining individuals who do so does not address the underlying causes related to addiction and may undermine the goals of decriminalization,害羞草研究所� it reads.

Such enforcement may encourage individuals to use drugs alone, increasing the risk of death due to the toxic drug supply.

害羞草研究所淚t is important that municipalities consult their local Medical Health Officer and seek to balance the goals of public health and public safety before drafting new bylaws.害羞草研究所�

害羞草研究所� with files from Alistair Taylor

wolfgang.depner@blackpress.ca
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