Sask. NDP looks for ‘effective’ measures on drugs

Talking about drugs like methamphetamines and fentanyl, Sask. NDP Leader Carla Beck agreed they don’t belong in Saskatchewan communities.

However, Beck said it remained to be seen whether the measures announced earlier in the week by the provincial government would be effective in taking on the problem.

“We would happily be part of all measures that bring people together to see us fight back on this drug crisis that has gripped so many communities and so many families,” said Beck.

She said the problem has largely gone unchecked in Saskatchewan communities for nearly 10 years. Beck said, back in 2016 advocates in Saskatoon were sounding the alarm about this problem which was approaching the province.

“We had a government that did not take those measures, did not invest in boots on the ground, did not invest in treatment, did not really talk about this issue much at all until recently,” said Beck.

Saskatchewan’s justice minister announced Wednesday a suite of changes the province would be making to dismantle the drug problem.

The changes include upping possible fines to $1 million, cancelling drivers’, hunting and fishing licenses for those convicted of drug-related crimes, and re-classifying dangerous drug-related items as street weapons.

Beck said she would have to take a look at any legislation introduced to support these changes before saying whether the NDP would support it.

Additional measures announced

Other measures announced on Tuesday include focusing efforts under 2009 legislation that allows the government to seize property that was gained through illegal activity or was used during a crime, prioritizing drug-related offenders to ensure they are arrested and held accountable for their actions, and updating the Trespass to Property Regulations “to classify drug use and other disruptive activities as trespassing, to defend against these activities in semi-public spaces.”

The provincial government said it will also look at updating the fine option program, to allow convicted criminals to receive credit against court-imposed fines if they complete addictions programming.

Finally, the province said it will classify “dangerous, drug-related items” as street weapons, which will allow police to seize them and – in some cases – lay charges.

For some, the new $1 million fine that could be handed down to those trafficking and transporting drugs into Saskatchewan might appear similar to that of the recent increase in fines for possessing and using bear spray in public spaces.

Last March, the government made it illegal to deface or alter bear spray cans or carry it in urban public spaces like shopping malls, movie theatres and city parks.

The new rules also made it so that those who are charged with a bear spray offence could face fines up to $100,000. The hope of that law was to deter people from using it and bring down the crime rates associated with it.

— with files from 650 CKOM