This time, the city is relying on a section of the Community Charter that allows councils to make rules around nuisances and disturbances
As B.C. municipalities struggle with how best to respond to decriminalization of possession of small amounts of illicit drugs, Campbell River is making another attempt to restrict public drug consumption.It aims to ban consumption in places where it would “negatively interfere with the public’s use and enjoyment of such places,” a staff report said.
The prohibition would also apply to city hall, the community centre, the sportsplex, Spirit Square, the Centennial Building, Robert Ostler Park, the library, Tidemark Theatre, Centennial swimming pool, the museum, the maritime heritage centre and the Discovery fishing pier.Council has allocated $82,000 to hire another bylaw officer to deal with an increased workload.
Council has heard from residents, businesses and visitors who say they don’t feel comfortable when people consume drugs in certain public areas, which can at times lead to disruptive behaviours, prompting them to avoid these areas, she said. Falcon noted that people can’t smoke or drink alcohol in playgrounds, beaches and parks, “but don’t worry — you can go there and do all the drugs you want openly in front of families and children.”
Both the NDP and Liberals supported the province’s application to Health Canada for a decriminalization pilot. Last year, they co-wrote and endorsed an all-party health legislative committee report calling for decriminalization.
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