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Sicamous bylaw prohibiting drug use in parks with play areas officially adopted

‘We are leaders among other municipalities’: Council prioritizes amendment before busy season
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Sicamous’ Beach Park is one of the locations listed on the district’s amended parks bylaw, prohibiting the use of illicit drugs near children’s play areas. The amended bylaw was adopted at the April 12 council meeting. (Rebecca Willson/Eagle Valley News)

The use of illicit drugs is officially prohibited in select Sicamous public parks.

At the April 12 council meeting, Mayor Colleen Anderson added a late item to the agenda after receiving a response from Interior Health’s medical health officer Jonathon Malo.

The letter was Malo’s response to the district’s proposed amended parks bylaw. The item was the adoption of the bylaw, which had been amended in response to the province’s temporary decriminalization of possession of certain illegal drugs for personal use.

Malo sent the letter on March 29, thanking the district for allowing him and other Interior Health representatives to present on March 8. Malo had asked the district to wait six months before implementing its amended parks bylaw prohibiting the use illicit drugs in Sicamous parks.

READ MORE:Sicamous council, Interior Health discuss decriminalization ahead of public use bylaw

In the letter, Malo said he appreciated being given time to further comment on the bylaw before its formal adoption, and is aware of council’s preference to take a proactive approach.

“I also acknowledge that the proposed bylaw amendment only applies to certain parks and beaches that are frequently visited by children and families, and that there are still public spaces available for people who use substances if they choose to do so, either due to a lack of other options or as a safety measure,” reads Malo’s statement.

He recommended the bylaw undergo a trial period without the introduction of fines and encouraged bylaw officers to use non-punitive measures, like verbal warnings, to enforce the bylaw in the beginning.

Malo listed financial struggles, stress and the risk of incarceration associated with fines as potential negative consequences for people who use substances, saying these could be barriers to those people in seeking help.

Malo’s approval allowed council to formally adopt the bylaw on April 12.

Anderson said she felt the adoption was time sensitive moving into the spring months when people will be visiting parks more often.

“Other communities are now starting to bring their bylaw changes forward, and they’re concerned how to make a move and we just forged forward with community support,” said Anderson.

“We are leaders among other municipalities right now.”

READ MORE: Sicamous parks with children’s play areas remain in proposed bylaw prohibiting drug use

READ MORE: Sicamous council moving to prohibit use of illicit drugs in parks

READ MORE: Sicamous council and police concerned over lack of legislation in drug decriminalization


@willson_becca
rebecca.willson@saobserver.net

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Rebecca Willson

About the Author: Rebecca Willson

I took my first step into the journalism industry in November 2022 when I moved to Salmon Arm to work for the Observer and Eagle Valley News. I graduated with a journalism degree in December 2021 from MacEwan University in Edmonton.
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