BC Conservatives Vow to Clamp Down on Public Drug Use and Consumption Facilities

September 27, 2024 TruthUSA

The Conservative Party of BC is vowing to shut down supervised consumption sites in the province and implement a strict “zero-tolerance” policy for public drug use.

Conservative Leader John Rustad made the announcement in a press release on Sept. 27, referring to a video circulating online. The video shows a man smoking a crack pipe outside of a Port Alberni Dairy Queen while a mother and her children are inside the restaurant, a few feet away from the man.

“Children can’t even enjoy ice cream without being exposed to the dangers of open drug use,” Rustad stated in the release. “Drug dens, free drugs, and crack pipe dispensaries have transformed our streets into unsafe areas where families feel threatened.”

Rustad outlined the party’s plan to combat drug activity by closing down all government-sanctioned drug dens, referring to supervised consumption sites as “hotbeds” for criminal activity. The policy also includes increased police presence in communities grappling with crime and public substance use, along with a “zero-tolerance policy for public drug use.”

Responding to the Port Alberni video, BC NDP candidate Mike Farnworth described the images as “disturbing” in a social media post.

“Public drug use is prohibited in all public areas, including outside establishments, on sidewalks, and at bus stops. Law enforcement has the authority to remove individuals and confiscate drugs to prevent such activities and maintain the safety of our streets for all,” he expressed on platform X on Sept. 26.

NDP Leader David Eby stated on Sept. 15 that the province plans to address the escalating challenges related to addiction by establishing secure facilities for involuntary care of individuals with severe addictions or mental illnesses.

The first secure housing and care facility is set to open on the Alouette Correctional Centre grounds in Maple Ridge in the coming months, with a second facility planned at the Surrey Pretrial Services Centre. Additional locations are being considered in northern B.C., the Interior, Vancouver Island, and the Lower Mainland.

“Individuals grappling with addiction, brain injuries, and mental health concerns require compassionate care and proactive intervention to help them stabilize and regain a meaningful life,” Eby emphasized. “This announcement marks the beginning of a new phase in our response to the addiction crisis. We are committed to providing the necessary care to keep individuals safe and, in turn, safeguard our communities.”

Green Party leader Sonia Furstenau has indicated that her party advocates for expanding safer supply programs and exploring alternative access models to reduce stigma and barriers to support in the system.

Furstenau outlined that a Green government would regulate treatment and recovery programs, offer drug education in schools, and enhance mental health support.

The Canadian Press contributed to this report.

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