21.64°C Vancouver

Sep 14, 2023 7:29 PM - Connect News

B.C. bans drug use near playgrounds, spray pools, skate parks

Share On
b-c-bans-drug-use-near-playgrounds-spray-pools-skate-parks
The Ministry of Mental Health and Addiction said that the ban will come into effect from September 18.

British Columbia has banned the use of illegal drugs on playgrounds, spray pools, wading pools and skate parks.

The British Columbia government says it has received approval from Health Canada to ban the possession and use of illegal drugs in certain public places where families and children gather.

In a statement on Thursday, the Ministry of Mental Health and Addiction said that the ban will come into effect from September 18.

It shall be illegal to possess drugs within 15 meters of a playground, wading pool or skate park.

Police will be able to enforce the B.C. Controlled Drugs and Substances Act in such areas, even though the federal government had given the state an exemption from the drug law six months ago.

Meanwhile, Mayor Ken Sim said that with this move, families will feel safer in these public places.

Minister Jennifer Whiteside said she requested the amendment from Health Canada to ensure we are prepared to fight the drug-addiction crisis and save lives.

Latest news

trump-arrives-in-alaska-talks-with-putin-on-ukraine-war
WorldAug 15, 2025

Trump arrives in Alaska, talks with Putin on Ukraine war

US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin are holding talks on the Ukraine war in Anchorage, Alaska's largest city. The meeting is taking place behind closed doors. Trump waited on the plane for about half an hour for Putin to arrive in Alaska. Putin is in the US after 10 years. He was welcomed by a red carpet at the airport. The two leaders were initially expected to meet privately, but now senior American and Russian officials have also joined them. Volodymyr Zelensky, who was not invited to the meeting, says Ukraine trusts the US but there is no indication that Russia
be-safe-around-tracks-and-trains
BCAug 15, 2025

White Rock RCMP appeals to be safe around tracks and trains

White Rock RCMP is reminding the public that trains can move without warning, stay off the tracks, follow signals and use designated crossings. On the evening of August 13, around 7:15 p.m., White Rock RCMP responded to a train stopped blocking the crossing near the pier head. While the train was stationary, some pedestrians, including parents with children crawled under it or walked along the tracks instead of using the Balsam Street crossing. This is extremely dangerous. A stopped train can move without warning, and anyone underneath or on the tracks is at serious risk of injury or death. Po
officials-hope-rain-clear-heavy-smoke-from-wildfire-near-port-alberni-b-c
BCAug 15, 2025

Officials hope rain clear heavy smoke from wildfire near Port Alberni, B.C.

Officials on Vancouver Island are hoping rain in the forecast can help clear up the air quality muddied by an out-of-control wildfire. The Alberni-Clayoquot Regional District says wildland firefighters have said the rain may improve air quality locally, but that it's hard to be certain. The west central region is under an air quality statement, along with parts of Vancouver Island's east coast and the Sunshine coast region on the B.C. mainland. The intense Mount Underwood wildfire has grown to more than 34 square kilometres, with fire behaviour that the BC Wildfire Service says is "unusual" fo
first-nation-in-b-c-says-41-more-graves-found-by-penetrating-radar-at-school-site
BCAug 15, 2025

First Nation in B.C. says 41 more graves found by penetrating radar at school site

The shishalh First Nation says 41 ``additional unmarked graves'' have been found as a result of a search with ground-penetrating radar on the site of a former residential school. The nation on British Columbia's Sunshine Coast says a team has been scanning the area around the St. Augustine's Residential School site for the last 18 months, at locations identified through interviews with survivors. It says the discovery brings the number of suspected graves at the site to 81, after initial findings that were announced in 2023. First Nations communities have tended to use careful language when an
air-canada-flight-attendants-in-final-day-before-strike-deadline
CanadaAug 15, 2025

Air Canada, flight attendants in final day before strike deadline

The union representing Air Canada's flight attendants has formally rejected the airline's request to enter binding arbitration. Air Canada had requested federal Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu step in and direct the parties to enter binding arbitration.   Now the Air Canada component of CUPE says Hajdu should also deny Air Canada's request for intervention saying --quote-- "Air Canada appears to have anticipated government intervention and has opted to suspend meaningful discussions, contrary to its legal obligation to bargain in good faith.''   Air Canada's executive vice-president has sa

Related News