Since British Columbia decriminalized the possession of small amounts of hard drugs in January, police have been unable to stop drug use in public places, including where children gather. Although the province announced a new ban on illicit drugs within 15 metres of playgrounds, city councillors and mayors across B.C. have said it’s not enough. They argue that the ban needs to extend to other places where children are exposed to drug use and used needles. For example, the library in Smithers, B.C., is a place where drug use occurs frequently, according to Councillor Frank Wray. He believes that children deserve safe spaces, and the current approach is not considering the community as a whole.
City councils in British Columbia have been discussing this issue in recent months. In New Westminster, city councillors wanted to include “public park spaces designed for and used by children” in the list of areas where drug use is banned. Councillor Paul Minhas expressed concerns about children being exposed to drug use in parks and downtown streets. Councillor Daniel Fontaine pointed out that current decriminalization laws prevent law enforcement from taking any action against illicit drug use in public places.
The decriminalization of drugs in British Columbia is regulated by Health Canada. The province was granted an exemption under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act to decriminalize small amounts of opioids, cocaine derivatives, and amphetamine derivatives. However, this exemption does not apply to other public places, leaving law enforcement powerless to stop drug use. Health Canada added the exception for playgrounds only recently, after calls from city officials. The goal of decriminalization is to reduce stigma and encourage drug users to seek help, but critics argue that it has led to an increase in drug use and related problems.
The Union of B.C. Municipalities (UBCM) passed a resolution to further regulate the possession and use of illicit drugs in parks, beaches, sports fields, and bus stops. However, the resolution only passed by a narrow margin, as some argued that it stigmatizes drug use and goes against the province’s decriminalization pilot. The UBCM also called on the province to develop a comprehensive plan to address the drug health emergency and provide immediate funding for detox, treatment, and other services.
In Smithers, Councillor Frank Wray acknowledged the need to help people struggling with addiction but emphasized the importance of considering the public good and creating safe spaces for children. He highlighted the lack of resources in smaller communities like Smithers, making it difficult for those in need to access detox and treatment services. The province is planning to introduce provincial legislation to further regulate public drug use, but it remains to be seen how comprehensive and effective these measures will be.