New legislation will create clear rules regarding public drug use and enable police to redirect people to safer spaces where they can be connected to health-care services and treatment.
The restricting public consumption of illegal substances act will encourage people who use drugs to use safely at local overdose prevention sites to keep community spaces free of illegal drug use.
The legislation, if passed, will ban drug use in public and recreation-focused spaces including:
a six-metre radius from building entrances, including businesses and residential buildings;
within six metres of a bus stop;
within 15 metres of playgrounds, spray and wading pools, and skate parks; and
at parks, beaches and sports fields.
These restrictions would align more closely with rules around tobacco, alcohol and cannabis use and provide a consistent approach throughout the province.