Image: Mike Vanden Bosch / Pattison Media / Roughly eight months after it ushered in drug decriminalization for certain illegal drugs in BC, the provincial government announced Thursday (Sept. 13) it has received approval from the federal government to ban possession of illegal drugs at playgrounds, spray pools, wading pools and skate parks in British Columbia. The new bans take effect on Monday, September 18.

By Mike Vanden Bosch

Possession of illegal drugs in BC

After it allowed drug decriminalization, BC govt. bans possession of illegal drugs at spray parks, playgrounds

Sep 14, 2023 | 11:05 AM

VICTORIA — Roughly eight months after it ushered in drug decriminalization for certain illegal drugs, the provincial government announced Thursday (Sept. 13) it has received approval from the federal government to ban possession of illegal drugs at playgrounds, spray pools, wading pools and skate parks.

The announcement comes after several cities across BC had pushed for changes to open drug use and/or possession where kids and children might be present.

According to a provincial statement released Thursday (Sept. 14), the province claims the new measures will help ensure kids and families feel safe in their communities.

Effective Monday, Sept. 18, possession of illicit drugs within 15 metres of any play structure in a playground, a spray or wading pool, or a skate park will be prohibited. The government says BC had made a request to Health Canada for an amendment to the decriminalization policy to add these spaces to existing exclusions on possession, including on the premises of K-12 schools and licensed child care facilities. The federal minister of mental health and addictions and associate minister of health has approved B.C.’s request.

With this amendment, police officers may enforce the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act when individuals are found to be in possession of illegal drugs in these child-focused spaces. Intoxication remains illegal in all public places.

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“Everyone, especially children, should feel safe in their communities,” said Minister Ya’ara Saks, federal Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and Associate Minister of Health. “This cannot be forgotten as we continue to work relentlessly to reduce substance use related harms. This amendment ensures that law enforcement has the tools needed to address public drug-use concerns, while continuing to provide support for some of the most vulnerable people in our community who use drugs. Our government recognizes the tremendous work B.C. has been doing across the full continuum of care to address the overdose crisis and we will continue to work with them to save lives.”

The province has also recently completed consultations on public drug use with key stakeholders, and is planning to introduce provincial legislation to further regulate public drug use this fall.

The B.C. government is also releasing data on mental-health and substance-use services in the province. This new data snapshot will show how the ministry is expanding mental-health and addictions care to help people connect services, including early intervention, harm reduction, treatment and recovery, and after-care supports.

The data snapshot includes information about the impacts of decriminalization, including law-enforcement data, research on the emotional well-being of people living with addiction, and connecting people to services, including treatment.

Since decriminalization came into effect, the provincial and federal governments claim that they have continued to work closely to monitor this exemption to ensure it is meeting the desired outcomes and that any potential unintended consequences are promptly addressed.

Decriminalization is just one tool in the province’s toolbox in the fight against the toxic drug crisis, it asserted in its news release.

The BC government claims it is working to build an integrated system of mental-health and addictions care that works for everyone. This includes adding hundreds of new treatment beds, expanding services for youth, and increasing access to programs that reduce harm and help keep people safe, such as drug-checking measures.

by Mike Vanden Bosch

After it allowed drug decriminalization, BC govt. bans possession of illegal drugs at spray parks, playgrounds

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