The head of Nanaimo RCMP's drug enforcement unit weighs in on a new province-wide drug decriminalization pilot project (File Photo/NanaimoNewsNOW)

By Ian Holmes

new era

Veteran Mountie believes new drug pilot project will present challenges for Nanaimo RCMP

Feb 3, 2023 | 5:22 AM

NANAIMO — Legalizing the possession of small amounts of hard drugs means an adjustment period for police and likely the judicial system, according to the head of Nanaimo RCMP’s Municipal Drug Enforcement Team.

The team’s commander Sgt. Rob Christenson emphasized their detachment has not targeted addicted, marginalized people possessing small amounts of illicit substances for personal use for many years.

“We totally support these individuals getting the help they need, but we are interested in prosecuting people who are trafficking and essentially taking advantage of a group of people who can’t really help themselves at times,” Christenson said.

Nobody is currently imprisoned in the province solely for simple drug possession charges, Christenson noted.

That being said, since up to 2.5 grams of several hard drugs can now legally be possessed by adults without sanctions, Nanaimo RCMP’s ability to probe drug trafficking files will be impacted, Christenson said.

final flight

Massive Philippine Mars waterbomber preparing for final Island departure

1h ago

Skatepark refresh

Town of Ladysmith seeks public insight in reforming skateboard park

16h ago

stabbing

UPDATE: Two people stab City of Nanaimo employee with needles at Maffeo Sutton Park

18h ago

He stated police historically had grounds to discern if people carrying small amounts of drugs were potentially tied to larger volumes for dealing purposes to either support or negate trafficking charges.

Christenson wonders if traffickers will be shielded by arguing their supply was strictly for personal use.

The decriminalization policy explicitly states drug trafficking of all amounts remains illegal.

“I think now our traffickers are going to get smarter and they’re going to think that they’re perhaps exempt when they have smaller amounts with them. Our enforcement efforts and I think the way we traditionally approach these investigations are going to get a little bit of a re-work.”

Christenson said their front-line officers have held meetings on how to approach drug investigations moving forward.

An online course helped Nanaimo RCMP officers become more familiarized with the new rules, he said.

“We’re going to have to get cases into our court system and see where the case law lands on this and hopefully that sort of stuff is going to give us a better understanding and direction on how we move forward on drug offences in the province.”

Higher level Nanaimo RCMP trafficking investigations, including probes with ties to Lower Mainland gang activity, likely won’t be impacted by the pilot project, Christenson said.

While open drug use in Nanaimo and many other communities is by no means taboo, Christenson expects the practice may become more visible, which in turn could cause public frustration.

Police officers province-wide have been instructed to hand out resource referrals if they encounter users with small amounts of illicit drugs.

Christenson, a longtime Nanaimo RCMP officer, questions if the capacity is in place to formally assist the addicted who accept help.

“I don’t necessarily believe that the infrastructure exists in the province currently to really support the people that want or need that help,” he told NanaimoNewsNOW.

Details from the province regarding the drug policy, including where small amounts of illicit drugs cannot legally be possessed, can be found here.

Decriminalizing drugs is seen by the province as one tool to help address the devastating toxic drug crisis.

Thousands of British Columbians have died since a province-wide public health emergency was declared in 2016.

In Nanaimo a record 74 deaths were attributed to tainted drugs last year, compared to six fatalities a decade prior.

Stigma, fear and shame prevents drug users from accessing life-saving supports, stated the province’s Mental Health and Addictions Minister Jennifer Whiteside during a Monday, Jan. 30 media conference.

She said addiction is a medical issue, not a justice matter.

Whiteside told reporters the province continues adding resources for the drug addicted.

A three-year pilot project decriminalizing the possession of small amounts of numerous illicit drugs took effect in B.C. on Tuesday, Jan. 31.

The exemption covers heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine and MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy.

Health Canada granted approval to the province last May to implement the pilot project, marking the first time such a policy for illicit hard drugs has been enacted in Canada’s history.

Advocates argue a widely available safe drug supply is required to meaningfully address the toxic drug crisis.

Local news. Delivered. Free. Subscribe to our daily news wrap and get our top local stories delivered to your email inbox every evening

ian@nanaimonewsnow.com

On Twitter: @reporterholmes