Drugs -- LNN

By Connor Gunn with files from Canadian Press

Alberta police chiefs don’t support decriminalization of illegal drug possession

Jan 20, 2022 | 2:51 PM

EDMONTON, AB – The Alberta Association of Chiefs of Police (AACP) does not support decriminalizing the possession of illegal drugs.

Announced Thursday, (Jan 20) AACP members released a statement to members of the media stating “we cannot support a broadly implemented policy of decriminalization until a modernized public policy framework is created, involving a thoughtful and integrated approach with all levels of government and across all ministries.”

The full statement can be viewed below.

Image from AACP

When speaking about decriminalization, Chief Constable Mark Neufeld, Chair of the AACP, simply stated “we completely understand the need to consider every potential option.”

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However, given the AACP statement, it isn’t an option that the Chiefs of Police want to entertain.

When asked why the AACP is making this statement now, Neufeld says there have been multiple inquiries around the province asking where they stand on the matter.

Neufeld says this topic has been “intensified by the drug poisonings and opioid overdoses.”

Read more: Drug overdose deaths rising in Lethbridge this year

“I would say that we’re aware of a number of applications from other communities across Canada, and we are also aware of discussions that are occurring in our province as well. So, this is an application that’s actually made to the federal government to the ministry of health and it isn’t actually something that would require to my understanding a change in legislation or anything like that. It is an exemption that could be granted which could make this a reality.”

Read more: 16 drug overdose deaths reported in Lethbridge in Q1 2021

In October of 2021, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was urged to decriminalize the possession and use of illicit drugs as a way to combat the opioid crisis that has resulted in thousands of deaths in Canada.

Almost 70 organizations from across the country — including the HIV Legal Network, the British Columbia Civil Liberties Association, and the National Association of Women and the Law — have written a letter to Trudeau asking that he make drug policy reform a priority for his newly re-elected Liberal government.

They want drug possession to be immediately decriminalized and all criminal sanctions and penalties related to drug use to be eliminated. They also want federal funding to ensure “low-barrier access” to a safe supply of drugs.

Neufeld says this topic has been talked about for quite some time now and the AACP wanted to make their stance clear to Albertans.