Kamloops council passes new public drug use ban, calls on province to fund all ‘Four Pillars’

“I do have concerns with passing this off to the province in hopes that they would implement it at all parks levels across our province,” said Neustaeter. “I think that they have a lot of priorities right now and this is one we can really take local action on as we hear our residents.”

Some councillors expressed that the newly-crafted bylaw would be a way to make enforcement more realistic. Community and Protective Services Director Byron McCorkell told council that will take a partnership with Kamloops RCMP.

“It’s different with alcohol. Our normal process there is, if you’re drinking in a park, we dump it out. There are no tickets. It’s basically, ‘Hey, you can’t do that here.’ It goes away,” said McCorkell. “This is different. I think every community’s struggling with how they’re going to enforce it, but I definitely believe and support Councillor Neustaeter in putting it on the table.”

The motion passed 7-1, with Councillor Dale Bass opposed and Councillor Nancy Bepple absent.

Council also called on the province to put more effort into funding prevention, enforcement and treatment. Councillor Bill Sarai says harm reduction can’t be the only effort the province uses to address the drug toxicity crisis.

“Our streets don’t have the four pillars. They’re a chair with one leg,” said Sarai. “It seems like we’re just promoting more safe consumption. In my opinion and from the people who I talk to, we’re just enabling them.”

“We are not accepting one pillar,” added Councillor Mike O’Reilly. “That’s what this statement will make and that will open up the floor for staff to have those conversations at the direction of council and that allows us, as council, to have a conversation with IH.”

by James Peters

Kamloops council passes new public drug use ban, calls on province to fund all ‘Four Pillars’

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