FSJ Council looks to prohibit public drug use

Fort St. John is joining other municipalities in the province, such as Kamloops and Campbell River, in beefing up the City’s bylaws to prevent the use of narcotics in public spaces. This move was prompted by the Provincial government’s decision to decriminalize the possession of up to 2.5 grams of hard drugs. These drugs include heroin, cocaine, and fentanyl.

Councillor Trevor Bolin brought forth a resolution at Monday’s council meeting that “Council direct staff to develop a bylaw to prohibit the use of narcotics in public places in the City.”

Councillor Byron Stewart requested that the pros and cons to this proposed bylaw be listed in the report, adding that he would also like to see how this proposed bylaw would affect the RCMP as they, not Bylaw Enforcement, would likely be the front line for enforcing this.

“My concern is that we might be creating more work for the RCMP, when the court system is not supporting the RCMP within the system,” Stewart said.

Chief Administration Officer, Milo MacDonald, told Council that one strategy other communities are using is to “beef up” the wording in their no smoking bylaw, as most controlled substances are consumed that way, he said.

“That is an area that municipalities are able to regulate,” said MacDonald. “Other bylaws have tripped up because municipal bylaws are subordinate to Provincial legislation.”