The New Brunswick RCMP says a two-month focus on open drug use around downtown Moncton will emphasize police engagement over criminal charges for simple possession. Supt. Benoit Jolette says the RCMP’s “strategic enforcement operation” will include dedicated police officers on foot patrol, focused on public drug use and other criminal activity. “(People) won’t see 50 police officers walking down the street to eradicate any kind of behavior, this is not the case,” says Jolette. “Whether it’s a uniform presence or members that are in plain clothes, they’re going to be out in vulnerable areas and looking for situations where people are using illicit drugs out in the open. That could be on a street corner, in an open area, or a park.” A statement from the RCMP, announcing the operation, said amendments to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act required officers to consider alternatives to prosecution for simple drug possession, including taking no further action, issuing warnings, or referring individuals to community-based treatment and support services. The statement also said RCMP continued to “prioritize enforcement against those involved in the trafficking, production, importation, and distribution of illicit drugs, recognizing the significant harm these activities cause to our communities.” Jolette says officers have been assigned to take a “measured approach” over the next two months through enforcement, prevention, harm reduction, and community referrals. The RCMP is working with YMCA ReConnect Alternative Dispatch, municipal bylaw officers, and the Horizon and Vitalité Health Networks, as part of the operation. For more New Brunswick news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
