PETERS: Kamloops council motion on drug use a worthwhile message to send

Councillor Katie Neustaeter seemed to be trying to address the issue in a nuanced manner this week.

In light of the decriminalization of possession introduced earlier this year, Neustaeter proposed bringing the city’s controlled substance use expectations in line with those around smoking and drinking in public places.

Even as the motion passed, it will likely be shot down by the province, as it impacts public health and that’s their purview.

Not only that, even if the bylaw is eventually enshrined, it won’t have much real-world impact. Those using substances in public have bigger issues to worry about than city bylaws. Not to mention, the bylaw is almost unenforceable.

But Neustaeter was playing 4-D chess with the motion, anticipating it to be more a message to the provincial government than a matter of enforcement.

In the end, it is up to David Eby’s government to provide a more concerted, effective response to these issues.

The Kamloops motion will be worthwhile if only to highlight how little the city can actually do to address social disorder without the backing of the province.

Hopefully, this 4-D chess move will push Victoria into taking some effective action.

Some opponents would rather play whack-a-mole than 4-D chess.

The problem with whack-a-mole is that the moles just keep popping up, though, and you never end up getting them all.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or Pattison Media.

by James Peters

PETERS: Kamloops council motion on drug use a worthwhile message to send

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