PETERS: A child finding drugs in a Kamloops park is not new, but no less frightening

It’s a situation that is both unfortunate and frightening, and it’s understandable why the family is rattled.

The danger from simply handling drugs has been vastly overstated over the years, especially by law enforcement authorities with the goal of creating fear.

The biggest threat drugs present to people who don’t use drugs is not in the incidental contact, but in the violence present in the illegal drug trade. But that’s another story.

Incidental contact may not be particularly dangerous, but ingestion absolutely is — and when a young child finds drugs in among the chocolate and candy they are already ravenously gobbling up, that scenario verges on horrific tragedy.

Opposition politicians are no doubt absolutely salivating over this story because they can blame it on the government of the day.

“This government doesn’t care about children,” they can say.

The presence of discarded drugs and associated paraphernalia in parks, though, is not a new phenomenon.

Fifteen years ago when possession was very much prohibited, it was more likely to be used needles in parks and playgrounds. Now that inhalant drugs are more prevalent, it’s baggies and pipes.

Any evidence that the decriminalization of drugs has led to more incidents like this one is completely anecdotal.

Most people who use drugs will guard them jealously rather than leave them lying around, but once again, mistakes happen.

Whoever is the so-called rightful owner of this substance didn’t want it to happen either, because it means they can’t either use it or sell it.

The best solution to this isn’t reactive — it’s preventative.

We need fewer people suffering from substance use disorder and fewer people using drugs, and then we’ll get fewer dangerous situations like this.

If there is criticism to be levelled against government on this issue, that’s where it is bound to be most effective.

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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: A child finding drugs in a Kamloops park is not new, but no less frightening

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