B.C. local governments to ask province for more support over drug decriminalization

VANCOUVER — Local politicians in British Columbia have passed all three resolutions asking the province to boost funding and regulation around the drug decriminalization pilot program, including expanding possession and use prohibitions to parks and sports fields.

Delegates at the Union of BC Municipalities convention in Vancouver voted to request the province “immediately” provide funding for addiction support services such as treatment, detox, overdose prevention and safe supply on a “geographically accessible” basis.

The resolutions, passed at the annual convention, also include a request that the province increase annual funding to the Justice Institute of B.C. for training new officers to meet community needs.

The most contentious debate during the vote came around the request for the province to “further regulate the possession and use of illicit drugs” in places “where children also gather,” including bus stops and beaches beyond park spaces.