Alberta police chiefs oppose talks of decriminalizing personal possession of drugs before more supports available
Stephanie Babych
Provided by Calgary Herald Calgary Police Chief Constable Mark Neufeld was photographed on Monday, December 6, 2021.
Video player from: YouTube (Privacy Policy, Terms)
Alberta police chiefs are taking a stand against decriminalizing the personal possession of drugs.
The Alberta Association of Chiefs of Police (AACP) said Thursday they will not support the decriminalization of minor drug offences before supports are improved and public policy is modernized.
The announcement comes as Edmonton city council is poised to discuss a motion on Monday that would lay the groundwork for the city to request an exemption from the federal government to decriminalize the personal possession of drugs, similar to exemptions being pursued by officials in Vancouver and Toronto.
Edmonton Coun. Michael Janz said on Twitter that council’s discussion will be an opportunity to take the first step toward a public health approach to the ongoing drug poisoning epidemic.
During a news conference Thursday, Calgary police Chief Mark Neufeld, the chair of the AACP, said Alberta communities are not ready for the effects of decriminalization.
While Neufeld acknowledged that decriminalizing minor drug offences could be part of an integrated approach to redirect drug users away from the criminal justice system and toward appropriate health supports and care, he said Alberta chiefs don’t believe those supports are currently available — including quickly accessible treatment services.
“Drug decriminalization triggers an immediate need for structural and societal changes in areas that do not currently exist,” Neufeld said. “Jurisdictions that have implemented decriminalization have added a range of administrative sanctions in replacement of criminal justice outcomes.”
All levels of government and stakeholders would have to establish regulations for issues such as the use of drugs in public spaces, the use of drugs in areas near minors, discarded needles or other debris, and public complaints, Neufeld said. And it would be essential to include input from rural and Indigenous communities, he added.
“These must be established prior to decriminalization so that individuals who want access to treatment can be connected to those services and supports without unreasonable delay.”
Blood Tribe Police Service Chief Brice Iron Shirt said at the news conference that he does not recommend decriminalization of drug possession for Indigenous policing in Alberta, though he said Blood Tribe Police Service is taking a holistic approach to the opioid crisis that’s specific to Blackfoot culture and beliefs.
Elaine Hyshka, assistant professor and Canada research chair in health systems innovation at the University of Alberta, said charging people with minor possession of drugs does not deter substance use but contributes to significant harm to people’s health, well-being and economic chances.
In Alberta, nearly 1,400 people died from substance-related overdoses between January and October 2021.
Hyshka said she’s glad to see Edmonton council open discussions in the province, and hopes other communities — including Calgary — follow in their footsteps. The cities would be pursuing a Section 56 exemption under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, which would be reviewed by Health Canada and the federal minister of Health.
Hyshka said the exemption would make it so police could no longer charge people caught in possession of small amounts of drugs with a criminal offence. Officers would still be able to lay charges in cases of drug trafficking and organized crime.
“I don’t think we need a new policy framework. I think it’s actually quite feasible to move forward with the existing policy framework and I think, frankly, it’s long overdue,” she said. “I think municipal councils are recognizing that the status quo is not acceptable.”
Calgary Coun. Courtney Walcott said he took notice of Edmonton’s motion.
“It’s setting a roadmap,” said Walcott. “This action on behalf of Edmonton, it’s going to have a trickle-down effect because we’ll be able to take a look at it, see the response, see the response from the public and, honestly, plan accordingly.”
Coun. Gian-Carlo Carra said decriminalization is something a number of Calgary councillors are looking into, in an effort to understand the best role the municipal government can play in a heavily interjurisdictional issue.
“We’ve committed to a trauma-informed harm-reduction approach to better take care of our most vulnerable citizens, and we’ve committed to anti-racism. This work is right in that wheelhouse,” said Carra.
He said he’s pleased to see Edmonton move forward with the motion, and said Calgary councillors will continue seeking to examine what this could look like for Calgary.
— With files from Madeline Smith
sbabych@postmedia.com
Twitter: @BabychStephanie
Video player from: YouTube (Privacy Policy, Terms)
Alberta police chiefs are taking a stand against decriminalizing the personal possession of drugs.
The Alberta Association of Chiefs of Police (AACP) said Thursday they will not support the decriminalization of minor drug offences before supports are improved and public policy is modernized.
The announcement comes as Edmonton city council is poised to discuss a motion on Monday that would lay the groundwork for the city to request an exemption from the federal government to decriminalize the personal possession of drugs, similar to exemptions being pursued by officials in Vancouver and Toronto.
Edmonton Coun. Michael Janz said on Twitter that council’s discussion will be an opportunity to take the first step toward a public health approach to the ongoing drug poisoning epidemic.
During a news conference Thursday, Calgary police Chief Mark Neufeld, the chair of the AACP, said Alberta communities are not ready for the effects of decriminalization.
While Neufeld acknowledged that decriminalizing minor drug offences could be part of an integrated approach to redirect drug users away from the criminal justice system and toward appropriate health supports and care, he said Alberta chiefs don’t believe those supports are currently available — including quickly accessible treatment services.
“Drug decriminalization triggers an immediate need for structural and societal changes in areas that do not currently exist,” Neufeld said. “Jurisdictions that have implemented decriminalization have added a range of administrative sanctions in replacement of criminal justice outcomes.”
All levels of government and stakeholders would have to establish regulations for issues such as the use of drugs in public spaces, the use of drugs in areas near minors, discarded needles or other debris, and public complaints, Neufeld said. And it would be essential to include input from rural and Indigenous communities, he added.
“These must be established prior to decriminalization so that individuals who want access to treatment can be connected to those services and supports without unreasonable delay.”
Blood Tribe Police Service Chief Brice Iron Shirt said at the news conference that he does not recommend decriminalization of drug possession for Indigenous policing in Alberta, though he said Blood Tribe Police Service is taking a holistic approach to the opioid crisis that’s specific to Blackfoot culture and beliefs.
Elaine Hyshka, assistant professor and Canada research chair in health systems innovation at the University of Alberta, said charging people with minor possession of drugs does not deter substance use but contributes to significant harm to people’s health, well-being and economic chances.
In Alberta, nearly 1,400 people died from substance-related overdoses between January and October 2021.
Hyshka said she’s glad to see Edmonton council open discussions in the province, and hopes other communities — including Calgary — follow in their footsteps. The cities would be pursuing a Section 56 exemption under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, which would be reviewed by Health Canada and the federal minister of Health.
Hyshka said the exemption would make it so police could no longer charge people caught in possession of small amounts of drugs with a criminal offence. Officers would still be able to lay charges in cases of drug trafficking and organized crime.
“I don’t think we need a new policy framework. I think it’s actually quite feasible to move forward with the existing policy framework and I think, frankly, it’s long overdue,” she said. “I think municipal councils are recognizing that the status quo is not acceptable.”
Calgary Coun. Courtney Walcott said he took notice of Edmonton’s motion.
“It’s setting a roadmap,” said Walcott. “This action on behalf of Edmonton, it’s going to have a trickle-down effect because we’ll be able to take a look at it, see the response, see the response from the public and, honestly, plan accordingly.”
Coun. Gian-Carlo Carra said decriminalization is something a number of Calgary councillors are looking into, in an effort to understand the best role the municipal government can play in a heavily interjurisdictional issue.
“We’ve committed to a trauma-informed harm-reduction approach to better take care of our most vulnerable citizens, and we’ve committed to anti-racism. This work is right in that wheelhouse,” said Carra.
He said he’s pleased to see Edmonton move forward with the motion, and said Calgary councillors will continue seeking to examine what this could look like for Calgary.
— With files from Madeline Smith
sbabych@postmedia.com
Twitter: @BabychStephanie
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