Image Credit: CFJC Today / File Photo

By Silvia Senna

NEW BYLAW

Kamloops the latest community to push drug use ban, but advocates argue it won’t work

Sep 13, 2023 | 4:58 PM

KAMLOOPS — Kamloops council is going ahead with a new bylaw amendment prohibiting use of illicit drugs in public spaces. However, some advocates for those who use drugs don’t see it as a solution.

“I don’t think saying that you can’t smoke meth on city property is a particularly radical political stand,” said Councillor Katie Neustaeter to CFJC Today. “I believe it is what the vast majority people are saying in community. We need a catalyst and we can start creating solutions, local solutions to these significant and complex problems that we have,” she explained.

On the other hand, Troylana Manson, an advocate with Moms Stop The Harm, believes addiction and drug use goes beyond public spaces.

“It’s a far more complex issue and the solutions are not just banning and enforcing that. That is not going to work. People are still going to use those drugs, there’s still going to be open drug use until we make spaces for them,” she said.

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Manson explained that, for some people, an open space is the safest place for them to use substances.

“One of the reasons why some people are comfortable using in more public areas is because if it is toxic and they go down, there’s somebody around who maybe has a naloxone kit or some way to get them help.”

Even though Manson and Neustaeter are on opposite sides regarding the bylaw, they agree that implementing more safe spaces in the city is a step towards a solution.

“Part of the solution is definitely more safe consumption sites — and I say SCS because most of the people who are using drugs are using inhalation way,” said Manson.

Neustaeter agrees that safe consumption sites should be part of an overall plan.

“Safe consumption sites are definitely a significant part of the next steps… [Tuesday] in council, we also heard about the steps been taken toward a North Shore community access hub,” she explained.

Kamloops as well as Prince George, Penticton and Kelowna are among B.C. communities that have considered or passed similar bylaws.