Buckling under public pressure, the BC government has requested that the federal government recriminalize public drug use.At a press conference on Friday, Premier David Eby vowed “no tolerance” for addicts who use drugs in places such as hospitals, bus stops, parks — even Tim Hortons — although it will still be legal in private homes and safe consumption sites.Appearing alongside law enforcement officials, Eby said police will have powers to maintain public order while still addressing drug use as a public health issue rather than a law enforcement problem.“Our goal was to save lives, to remove that stigma and to make sure that people had an opportunity to move forward and rebuild their lives. But that compassion, that concern for people who are struggling, does not mean that anything goes,” he said. .“We still have expectations around safety. Public spaces, in the coffee shop, on the bus, in the park on the beach and spaces where family, where people gather to celebrate businesses, where small business owners are trying to earn a living.”Eby denied his government is backtracking on the issue, although he acknowledged the upcoming October election did come into play.In November of last year, his government did try to introduce legislation — supported by all parties — to restrict drug use in “common sense” areas but it was subsequently challenged and appears headed for a Supreme Court charter challenge.In remarks, he said it became apparent that it could take a year or more to work through the courts. Time is of the essence because the decriminalization pilot was only granted for a period of three years.“This was obviously a challenging and a frustrating moment. And I want to assure people that that is not the end of the story. We hear you, we know that action needs to be taken on these issues. The resolution of that court issue is potentially more than a year down the road. And we cannot afford to wait. We need to act now,” he said.The difference this time is that the province has appealed directly to the federal government which has authority under the criminal code to regulate drug use. Eby said he was confident the federal controlled drugs legislation is impervious to constitutional challenge.The final straw was reports of open use in hospitals — including maternity wards — exposing health workers to potentially toxic fumes. Police complained they didn’t have authority to act.“In addition to this request to Health Canada, we're here today to share that we are also addressing the disturbing stories that British Columbians have heard about drug use in our hospitals. We will not tolerate the safety of health professionals or patients in our hospitals being compromised,” he said. .We will not tolerate the safety of health professionals or patients in our hospitals being compromised,”BC Premier David Eby.In conjunction with expanded police powers the government also provided more treatment options, particularly for those in remote communities.Deputy Vancouver police chief Fiona Wilson, who is also the head of the BC Association of Police Chiefs, said the new policy goes a long way to fixing some of the shortcomings identified when the policy came into effect in January 2023.Although she said not to expect an enforcement blitz it will go a long way to increasing the authority of law enforcement to maintain public safety.”Since day one, the British Columbia Association of Chiefs of Police has expressed significant concern with the issue of public consumption of illicit drugs… based on a fundamental belief people in communities across this province feel safe at the beach, at a bus shelter in parks, while simply walking down the street and in places such as restaurants and hospitals. We have strongly advocated for tools for our members to effectively do their job while directing individuals who use drugs towards alternate pathways of care.“
