An MLA is calling for a provincewide ban on drug use in municipal parks and playgrounds, as several B.C. communities have started looking into their own bylaws.

Kamloops-North Thompson MLA Peter Milobar said a ban would cut through the current confusion around the ability of municipalities to pass bylaws around drug consumption.

He called for a ban during TuesdayB次元官网网址檚 (May 2) Question Period and pushed again for the ban Wednesday during a news conference.

B次元官网网址淩ight now, we are getting mixed messages from the government,B次元官网网址� said Milobar, a BC United MLA.

Milobar claimed the confusion is around the municipal affairs ministry telling local governments they can pass their bylaws because they know best, but the addictions ministry is saying if itB次元官网网址檚 a health bylaw it needs their approval and oversight.

B次元官网网址淭hey are both somewhat right and thatB次元官网网址檚 why what makes this very confusing. If you pass it as a nuisance bylaw, you can pass it. If you pass it with more of a health focus, then the Health Act starts to kick in.B次元官网网址�

Milobar said BC United supports decriminalization, but added the federal exemption letter calls for guardrails, which the ban would be the B次元官网网址渕ost basicB次元官网网址� guardrail.

He also dismissed suggestions that such a provincewide ban would be heavy-handed in pointing out that school districts across the province already have such rules in place. While it is unrealistic to expect that public drug use would not take place, a ban would give enforcement officers the ability to move people along and point them toward the necessary resources, he said.

B次元官网网址淚f you are in a playground setting B次元官网网址� I donB次元官网网址檛 think it is unreasonable that a mother taking her eight-year-old to go play on swings and slides should be able to have a little bit of a reprieve from the daily chaos that we are seeing on our streets and let the child just play in an area as safe as possible.B次元官网网址�

RELATED:

MilobarB次元官网网址檚 comments come after Kamloops council passed a bylaw banning illicit drug use within 100 metres of municipal parks or playgrounds and on any sidewalk. Milobar is a former Kamloops mayor.

KamloopsB次元官网网址� decision runs counter to an appeal from Interior Health asking local governments in the southern Interior to hold off on any bylaws banning drug use in parks. The letter calls on local governments to monitor the effects of decriminalization for six month before passing such bylaws.

Multiple B.C. municipalities have respond to the federal governmentsB次元官网网址� pilot program decriminalizing possession of up to 2.5 grams of illicit drugs effective since Jan. 31.

banning illicit drugs in select public parks.

on its proposed bylaw.

In North Cowichan councillors Tek Manhas and Bruce Findlay cracked open beers while sitting next to an overdose-prevention site to protest the public consumption of illicit substances.

READ MORE:

Campbell River, meanwhile, has revived previously dropped plans for a bylaw. Its second attempt frames the bylaw as a nuisance bylaw.

The Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions said in a statement to Black Press Media that municipalities must consider the advice and information from medical health officers.

B次元官网网址淭his applies to any bylaw under the nuisance provision that may have health implications,B次元官网网址� it reads. Bylaws that fall under public health bylaws regulation are also B次元官网网址渟ubject to approval by or deposit with, the Ministry of Health.B次元官网网址�

The statement says local governments can use a range of regulation to address substance use and public disorder. B次元官网网址淒ecriminalization will not change the ability of local governments to pass bylaws,B次元官网网址� it reads. B次元官网网址淗owever, implementing blanket bylaws broadly that prohibit public consumption of illicit drugs and fining individuals who do so does not address the underlying causes related to addiction and may undermine the goals of decriminalization,B次元官网网址� it reads.

Such enforcement may encourage individuals to use drugs alone, increasing the risk of death due to the toxic drug supply.

B次元官网网址淚t is important that municipalities consult their local Medical Health Officer and seek to balance the goals of public health and public safety before drafting new bylaws.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址� with files from Alistair Taylor

wolfgang.depner@blackpress.ca
Like us on and follow us on .