DRUGS – Eby moves to make decrim changes on use of illicit drugs in public
Premier David Eby. (Image: Govt of BC)
The NDP government wants the feds to make illicit drug use illegal in all public spaces, including inside hospitals, on transit and in parks.
The move comes after weeks of pressure from the public, municipal councils and opposition politicians to do something about the increasing use of illicit drugs in public places as a consequence of decriminalization.
“Keeping people safe is our highest priority. While we are caring and compassionate for those struggling with addiction, we do not accept street disorder that makes communities feel unsafe,” Premier David Eby said today (Friday, April 26, 2024).
“We’re taking action to make sure police have the tools they need to ensure safe and comfortable communities for everyone as we expand treatment options so people can stay alive and get better.”
Eby wants the federal government to make changes to the legality of possessing drugs in B.C. after it failed in its own attempt. A B.C. Supreme Court Judge earlier granted an injunction against provincial legislation that would have restricted where illicit drugs can be consumed.
“This will provide police with the power to enforce against drug use in all public places, including hospitals, restaurants, transit, parks and beaches. Guidance will be given to police to only arrest for simple possession of illicit drugs in exceptional circumstances,” a government news release said.
When police are called to a scene where illegal and dangerous drug use is taking place, they will have the ability to compel the person to leave the area, seize the drugs when necessary or arrest the person, if required, it continued.
The change would not recriminalize drug possession in a private residence or place where someone is legally sheltering, or at overdose prevention sites and drug checking locations.
“Our communities are facing big challenges. People are dying from deadly street drugs and we see the issues with public use and disorder on our streets,” said Mike Farnworth, Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General.
“As we continue to go after the gangs and organized criminals who are making and trafficking toxic drugs, we’re taking action now to make it illegal to use drugs in public spaces, and to expand access to treatment to help people who need it most.”
The government said it will also improve safety and security for patients, visitors and health-care workers in hospitals. A single policy will prohib street-drug possession or use and additional measures to increase enforcement, support patients with addictions, and encourage them toward treatment and recovery.
Going forward, when patients are admitted to hospital, they will be asked if they experience any substance-use challenges. Patients will receive support and medical oversight for addiction care.
“Today, we are taking immediate action to make hospitals safer and ensuring policies are consistent and strictly enforced through additional security, public communication and staff supports,” said Health Minister Adrian Dix.
“The action plan launching today will improve how patients with addictions are supported while they need hospital care, while preventing others from being exposed to the second-hand effects of illicit drug use.”
Access to treatment is also being expanded for people with addiction, including those who are most at risk of overdose by:
- increasing the availability and accessibility of opioid-agonist treatment (OAT), a medication-assisted treatment for people who have an opioid-use disorder, by implementing a provincewide virtual system;
- integrating addictions services with health care, housing and related services; and
- working with experts to develop methods to track prescribed alternatives with the aim of identifying and preventing diversion.
ArmchairMayor.ca 
Apparently you can’t take all the crazy ideas you dreamed up with your hyper progressive activist colleagues at Pivot Legal and actually do them in the real world. Something breaks in the process. Why? Because stupid ideas lead to stupid results 100% of time.
And boy was this stupid. Only last week, David Eby was believing his own dogmatic rationalization of decriminalization. Dix and Farnworth too. Doubling down. It’s amazing what a single polling result can make a politician do!
Mr. Eby has urgently requested help from the feds to fix the mess the NDP started. It’s a bit like a boy lighting Kleenex on fire in his mother’s bedroom, then screaming for the fire department when he ought to have known better, while the bed bursts into flames and fire crawls up the walls.
Progressives, what say you now? Is Eby a coward more concerned about retaining power, or did he finally see the light as most of us have long ago? Wax poetic to me about the benefits of decriminalization and safe supply, while the leader of the party responsible for this madness is sending out emergency bat signals, pleading with someone to save the NDP from the mess they made for themselves.
Using these filthy drugs in public will be illegal. This does not work. It will never work. Drug addicts singular drive is to use drugs. You will never fix that by giving them more drugs. We told you that from the start. And now here we are, witnessing one of the most embarrassing walk backs of shame in recent memory.
Get these junkies off the streets, out of our parks, beaches, bus stops, and out of our hospitals. Today is the day we take back our streets. Decrim supporters and apologists – look in the mirror and give your head a shake. I say that with all the tender care and affection of a reformed progressive. Most of you have lost your minds and are foaming at the mouth. But there’s hope – you just have to stop drinking the Kool Aid. Jim Jones isn’t your friend!
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With the BC Conservatives coming up in the polls, the NDP will be defeated unless they do something about their policies which have contributed to street disorder in communities across BC. People have compassion, but it only goes so far when their cities start turning into drug free-for-alls.
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Opinion … I think this has been fairly well designed. Deals with the most pressing problems, but doesnt return us to full criminalization for possession, therefore making it a justice problem again. Heres hoping the feds are watching and act on this quickly.
Lets not be surprised if it needs more of a tweak as time goes on.
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