RCMP still working out details of decriminalization in Vernon

There are some exemptions under the law. Possession over the 2.5 gram limit, as well as sale of drugs, are arrestable offences. Additionally, minors and Canadian Forces members are not permitted to be in possession of these drugs, and possession on school or child care facility premises, in airports, and in a motor vehicle or watercraft operated by a minor is illegal.

Speaking to council, Baher stated it had not been a typical practice to press charges against people in possession of small amounts of illicit drugs, and instead officers would direct individuals to select services, mainly in addiction supports.

Baher noted they may come across some issues with open use of drugs.

“We see [open use] as possibly being an issue. We had a lot of individuals and residents calling the police prior, in relation to open use,” said Baher.

“We are basically hand-tied in relation to individuals, but if you believe someone is trafficking, yes we can absolutely deal with it, or in possession for the purpose of trafficking, yes, but if you believe they’re just using it, we now have to look at the exemption because it doesn’t give us power to go in and deal with that individual.”

Baher noted under these new regulations they may miss some opportunities to interact with individuals using drugs as officers are no longer permitted to stop and arrest someone in possession of drugs, but she added, missing a few interactions won’t change the crisis, as that comes down to addressing the toxic drug supply through stopping trafficking and access to a safe supply.

Speaking with Vernon Matters after the meeting, Baher stated the local officers will work within their power to direct individuals towards addiction supports and services.

“The [referral cards] that we had created in Vernon prior to the exemptions were blue cards that talked about the local resources available. The ones now we’re giving [from] the province are grey and talk a little bit about basically provincial and Interior Health resources. So we found the blue cards we handed out before were a little bit more [related] to the Vernon, Coldstream, Vernon-Rural area than the ones basically for Interior Health,” said Baher.

“But regardless, they’re getting handed out, we don’t have a number on that, but they are being handed out.”

Baher told Vernon Matters she believes decriminalization could mean people “will come out of the woodwork to use in public” as most people use inside private residences, but did state that will be re-evaluated in the warmer months.

She added , while police “hands are tied” in dealing with individuals, they can still crack down on dealers.

“We still will be able to investigate individuals in possession for the purpose of trafficking, so if someone possesses something to sell to someone else, we have the ability to investigate that. That’s still against the law under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act as well as trafficking,” Baher told Vernon Matters.

“So those investigations will be actively pursued just like they were before.”

She added there are local support services operating in Greater Vernon, and hopes they step forward and take a hands-on approach in getting people into addiction services. Also, police can refer anyone taken into custody, whether it be for trafficking or other offences, to addiction support services through the Opioid Pilot.

Baher also noted the intent of decriminalization is to not only reduce the stigma and negative police interactions with users, but could also be beneficial in reducing drug-seeking behaviours and associated actions.

“If police or anyone take drugs away from an individual and they still have an addiction, they’re going to go out and seek drugs,” said Baher.

“So the aspect behind this is if the police aren’t taking the drugs away from the individual and they have that supply they’re less likely to get involved in say going out and drug-seeking or having to commit more crime to get the drugs.”

Baher did not have any data on impacts of decriminalization locally, or figures on referrals made by police. Council directed the Superintendent report back at a future meeting with some data for information.

“[Baher] provided a good introduction to the current situation, [but] she didn’t provide any of the results of this so we’ve asked her to return as soon as she started to get some results of this change in provincial regulation around restrictive drugs,” Vernon Mayor Victor Cumming told Vernon Matters following the meeting.

He added once more data has been collected, the City of Vernon will contact the province and create an open feedback channel to share the findings and any concerns or challenges that have presented themselves due to decriminalization.

Baher also presented Vernon council with the fourth quarter crime stats at the meeting Monday.

Cumming noted the local data is promising .

“What we’re seeing across the board is a slight decline in files and charges. That’s consistent with a slight decrease in criminal activities and that, for us, is success,” Cumming told Vernon Matters.

The decriminalization and the RCMP quarterly stats were presented as information. Council, minus Kelly Fehr who was not present for Monday’s meeting, voted unanimously in favour of accepting both reports.

by Liam Verster

RCMP still working out details of decriminalization in Vernon

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