Skip to Main content

9.09°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Sports Videos Podcast Contact Us

Feb 22, 2023 7:42 PM - The Canadian Press

'Incredibly premature' to consider drug decriminalization, Alberta police chiefs say

Share On

incredibly-premature-to-consider-drug-decriminalization-alberta-police-chiefs-say

Instead, it says there must be a systemic and ordered approach in place that prioritizes community safety before such a strategy can be considered. (Photo: The Canadian Press)

The Alberta Association of Chiefs of Police says it believes, based on research it commissioned, that it would be "incredibly premature" to think about decriminalizing drugs.

Instead, it says there must be a systemic and ordered approach in place that prioritizes community safety before such a strategy can be considered.

A paper, commissioned by the association and released at a recovery conference in Calgary, says problematic use of substances is a complex social issue that needs more than one solution.

The research, led by the Community Safety Knowledge Alliance, says the idea of decriminalizing simple possession of illicit substances has generated considerable debate in Canada.

It adds there have been growing calls for decriminalization since British Columbia got a federal exemption under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act to allow for the possession of small amounts of illegal drugs.

The Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police and the B.C. Association of Chiefs of Police have supported decriminalization as part of an integrated set of reforms.

Mark Neufeld, who is president of the Alberta chiefs association and Calgary's police chief, says social agencies, health-care providers and the justice system must work together to solve this "wickedly complex" issue.

Latest news

BC Election Final Count Begins Friday, Recounts Ordered in Two Ridings

Elections BC will begin the final count of last month’s provincial election on Friday. Although the BC Conservatives secured a majority government by winning 63 of the 93 seats, the margins between leading candidates remain fewer than 200 votes in four ridings. Nearly 150,000 mail-in ballots will be counted during the final counting process, with the final results expected to be announced by November 10. Elections BC has ordered recounts in two ridings where the margin between candidates is fewer than 100 votes. These include Burnaby South-Metrotown, where the NDP candidate is leading by jus

IndiaNov 05, 2026

High Court Directs Punjab Government to Submit LPU Violence Report to Centre Within 72 Hours

The Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the Punjab government to submit its report to the Centre within 72 hours, a month after violent protests took place at Lovely Professional University (LPU). The Centre will now decide whether the National Investigation Agency (NIA) should investigate the offence registered by Punjab Police under the IT Act. The direction came after Punjab Police reportedly found material during its ongoing investigation indicating a possible link to cyberterrorism. Scheduling the next hearing for November 17, the court emphasized that, given the sensitivity of the

Vancouver Rents End 34-Month Annual Decline, Rise 0.2% in October

The nearly three-year decline in apartment and condo rents in Vancouver has come to an end. According to the latest report by Rentals.ca and Urbanation, average asking rents in Vancouver increased by 0.2 per cent year-over-year in October, marking the first annual increase in 34 months. Rents reached an average of $2,735. Similarly, rents in Toronto, Canada's second-most expensive rental market, rose by 1.6 per cent to $2,590 after declining for 32 consecutive months. On a month-over-month basis, Toronto recorded the highest rental increase among Canada's six largest markets, with rents rising

storm-threatens-b-c-s-coastal-regions-with-heavy-rainfall-and-strong-wind-warnings

Storm Threatens B.C.’s Coastal Regions, With Heavy Rainfall and Strong Wind Warnings

A powerful storm is expected to hit British Columbia’s coastal regions, bringing heavy rainfall of up to 120 millimetres in some areas. Environment Canada has issued heavy rainfall warnings for western and inland parts of Vancouver Island, where rainfall could reach 10 millimetres per hour for several consecutive hours. According to the weather agency, the heaviest rainfall is expected in northern areas near Tofino, including Port Alice and Zeballos. Heavy rain is also forecast for the Central Coast, including Bella Coola. Meanwhile, strong winds reaching speeds of up to 110 km/h are expecte

AlbertaNov 05, 2026

Alberta Government Concerned Over U.S. Midterm Election Results

Following the Democrats’ sweeping victory in the U.S. midterm elections, experts and political leaders in Alberta are assessing the potential impact on Canada, particularly the province. American voters also voiced strong opposition to political parties manipulating electoral maps. Alberta’s NDP has compared the issue to the ongoing controversy over the province’s proposed new electoral boundaries. Premier Danielle Smith said the U.S. midterm results reinforced her government’s approach to dealing with tariffs. Her government has emphasized diplomacy and negotiations to strengthen rela

Related News

Alberta Government Concerned Over U.S. Midterm Election Results

Alberta Government Concerned Over U.S. Midterm Election Results

Following the Democrats’ sweeping victory in the U.S. midterm elections, experts and political leaders in Alberta are assessing the potential impact on Canada, particularly the province. American voters also voiced strong opposition to political parties manipulating electoral maps. Alberta’s NDP has compared the issue to the ongoing controversy over the province’s proposed new electoral boundaries. Premier Danielle Smith said the U.S. midterm results reinforced her government’s approach to dealing with tariffs. Her government has emphasized diplomacy and negotiations to strengthen rela

Okotoks Shaken by Powerful Explosion, Home Completely Destroyed

Okotoks Shaken by Powerful Explosion, Home Completely Destroyed

A powerful explosion at a building in Okotoks, southeast of Calgary, caused significant damage Thursday morning, completely destroying a large single-family home. According to Calgary Fire crews, a loud blast was heard across the area between approximately 7:10 and 7:45 a.m. The explosion occurred in a detached building on a rural property near Heritage Heights School. An elderly couple was inside the home at the time of the explosion, but both were reported safe. As a precaution, Heritage Heights School was immediately evacuated and will remain closed for the day. Students who normally travel

ASIRT Clears Two Alberta Police Officers in Leduc Arrest After Reviewing Bodycam Footage

ASIRT Clears Two Alberta Police Officers in Leduc Arrest After Reviewing Bodycam Footage

Alberta’s police watchdog has cleared two officers involved in an alleged excessive use-of-force incident during an arrest in Leduc. Body camera footage played a key role in the investigation. According to the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team (ASIRT), the man had allegedly assaulted someone earlier that night and repeatedly resisted arrest, forcing both officers to use physical force to restrain him. The officers punched the man in the face, which ASIRT determined was justified under the circumstances. The man had alleged that officers kicked him in the face. ASIRT concluded that the o

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

Broadcasting Notice of Consultation

BC Children's Hospital