Letter to Vernon council states decriminalization to be part of comprehensive program

Jan 10, 2022 | 3:59 PM

A response to the City of Vernon’s objection to decriminalizing possession of illicit substances has reduced some, but not all, concerns.

Council wrote and sent the letter to the Solicitor General, the Minister of Health, the Minister of Mental Health and Addictions and the Premier as there were concerns that seeking to decriminalize possession of illicit drugs without a safe supply available would not solve the toxic drug crisis.

The letter was sent on Nov. 16, 2021, and the City of Vernon received a response on Dec. 17, which was released to the public at the Jan. 10 regular council meeting.

The letter from Sheila Malcolmson, the Minister of Addictions and Mental Health, stated that decriminalization is part of a larger spectrum of supports and initiatives intended to eliminate the stigma of drug use and get people comfortable with accessing supports.

The letter stated that the province allocated $500 million for mental health and addictions in 2021 budget, invested an additional $45 million to health authorities to enhance overdose prevention services and increase access to substance use treatment, and recently announced $132 million to increase treatment and recovery across the province.

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“This funding is already working to strengthen the full continuum of care, including withdrawal management, transition and assessment, treatment and aftercare services — with more services to be rolled out over the upcoming year,” wrote Malcolmson.

Included in the plans is the creation of 65 new or enhanced services in B.C., the addition of over 130 full-time-equivalent staff, and opening 195 new substance-use treatment beds.

Following the Jan. 10 regular council meeting, Mayor Victor Cumming told Vernon Matters that seeing a comprehensive plan is encouraging.

However, Cumming noted some concerns were not addressed, including the creation of a safe drug supply and that the proposed quantity of drugs a person could legally possess was still too high.

“We understand, they’re saying they have a comprehensive program, our concern is to make sure that they have a comprehensive program. I think the need exceeds what they’re prepared to do at this time, and this is important,” said Cumming.

“We’re having a conversation back and forth, we are feeling the effects and they are feeling the effects and we’re having a conversation, so I was very pleased they responded to us.”

The mayor said other measures that would create a “robust strategy” need to be in place, and all pieces of the puzzle would be required in order to properly address the overdose crisis.

The letter from Malcolmson also mentioned that possession should be treated as a public health matter and not a criminal matter, as possession charges can create hurdles for people looking to get a job, access services, and find housing.

Councillor Kelly Fehr, the sole councillor who voted against sending the letter in November, told Vernon Matters that he agreed possession should not be a criminal matter.

“Where I have a very strong opinion on decriminalization is, having worked in the field for most of my career, I’ve seen first hand that incarceration is a wonderful punishment tool, but my experience shows that it does very little to rehabilitate,” said Fehr, adding that city council is very supportive of services and programs to support those struggling with addiction and seeking treatment.

Data from the B.C. Coroners Service shows that between Jan. 1 and Oct. 31. 2021, a record high 1,782 British Columbians died due to toxic illicit drugs, including a record high 33 deaths in Vernon.

by Liam Verster

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