[chemgear]

https://vancouversun.com/news/future...s-plan-meeting

Future of decriminalization uncertain as addictions ministers, police chiefs plan meeting

B.C. police chiefs are concerned that law enforcement officers have no power to stop problematic drug use in hospitals or public spaces.

Wilson, who is also president of the B.C. Association of Chiefs of Police, said: “In the wake of decriminalization, there are many of those locations where we have absolutely no authority to address that problematic drug use.” For example, if someone smokes crack cocaine on a beach next to a family, “it’s not a police matter,” she said.

Wilson also said “there is nothing police can do” about drug use inside hospitals, the prevalence of which has become apparent in recent weeks as nurses are speaking out about their exposure to toxic drug smoke in the workplace.

“These are all things that we raised prior to decriminalization taking effect that we don’t feel were adequately addressed,” Wilson said.