‘We’re not going to allow it in our city’: Port Coquitlam bans open drug use in public

Concerns for public safety have led to the City of Port Coquitlam, B.C., updating its bylaws on illicit drug use.

“Fentanyl doesn’t mix with children’s playgrounds. It’s just not appropriate. We’re not going to allow it in our city. We’re going to address it to the best of our ability and, hopefully, the province will take some action as well,” Port Coquitlam Mayor Brad West told Global News.

Port Coquitlam council amended its bylaw on the use of substances in spaces like parks and playgrounds to include all public areas.

1:03 City of Port Coquitlam bans open drug use in public areas with bylaw changes

City staff acknowledged that the province’s decriminalization of certain drugs in January posed a difficulty in enforcing the city’s existing bylaws, which led to the changes.

The amendment enables officers to address the use of drugs but not possession itself.

West said the change needed to happen with parks being packed with people during the busy summer months and to ensure public safety.

0:24 Increased smoking fines in Port Coquitlam

“What we were seeing on the ground demanded (this),” West said.

“There was no bylaw, no law, for our officers to address instances where you have people using drugs in places where children were gathering. We needed to take action right now, so that is what we’ve done.”

Port Coquitlam said it notified Fraser Health about the amendment prior to its passing as drug use is considered an issue of public health.

Global News has reached out to Fraser Health for comment.