Health Canada granted B.C. a three-year exemption, starting Jan. 31, to remove criminal penalties for people who possess a small amount of certain illicit substances for personal use. Users 18 and older can carry a combined 2.5 grams of opioids such as heroin and fentanyl, as well as cocaine, ecstasy and methamphetamine.
The idea is to reduce the stigma, and encourage drug users to access health services.
A businessman in downtown Courtenay questions the effectiveness of the pilot project. He was speaking to a drug user who said he would seek rehab if he was given $20 a day, a roof over his head and three square meals a day.
鈥淎nd he says, 鈥榃ouldn鈥檛 that be cheaper than it would be to give them drugs and everything they want?鈥欌�� the business owner said. 鈥淲hich is what they鈥檙e doing鈥akes sense, it鈥檚 cheaper.鈥�
The user pointed out that government has not sought out suggestions from him or other people on the street.
鈥淲here do you start?鈥� said the businessman, who has seen young people shooting up in the downtown core. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 know where to send my kid if he鈥檚 f***ed up. The public is ignorant of it, they don鈥檛 know where to go (to dry out).
鈥淎s far as I鈥檓 concerned it鈥檚 a health issue that government refuses to deal with, because they don鈥檛 have the money or resources. They think the answer is by giving them free drugs. To me, that鈥檚 wrong.鈥�
Lyndsey Bell, co-owner of Bigfoot Donuts on 5th Street, concurs that public health and safety is becoming a greater concern.
鈥淚 can attest to the challenges facing downtown businesses with regard to drug use,鈥� said Bell, noting an outrageous amount of issues in recent months. She foresees a 鈥渃ollective frustration鈥� erupting in the near future between businesses and Courtenay council. 鈥淐hanges need to happen now.鈥�
The mandate of the Downtown Courtenay Business Improvement Association is to ensure the downtown core is a vibrant place to do business. However, recent and growing complex issues are making this mandate difficult to achieve.
鈥淥ur association鈥檚 goalposts are changing as we prioritize the safety and security of our members, in addition to our marketing, beautification and economic development work,鈥� the association said in a statement. 鈥淲e seek support from city council to protect small businesses so they can continue to be a thriving part of the heart of Courtenay. We also call on higher levels of government to carry out effective health and housing initiatives for the vulnerable population in our province.鈥�
In Campbell River, council passed a bylaw that made it illegal to consume drugs in public, although the bylaw was ultimately rescinded, after court challenges.
The Pivot Legal Society of Vancouver has filed a petition to the Supreme Court of B.C., saying the bylaw is out of the City of Campbell River鈥檚 jurisdiction.
Regardless, Bell said if the City of Courtenay has the ability to enact a similar bylaw, she would expect to see it in place.
While the 2.5-gram threshold may not go far enough, Courtenay Coun. Evan Jolicoeur hopes the pilot project leads to conversations around the next steps in terms of treatment options, safe supply, and more funding and resources.
鈥淭his pilot project will attempt to create a framework for a pan-Canadian approach and a model for expansion in BC.,鈥� said Jolicoeur, an RN, and a mental health and addictions clinician.
