Winnipeg police, mayor to release details on drug use crackdown plan Friday

Mayor Scott Gillingham has given approval to a special council meeting to address the city’s drug crisis.

The Winnipeg Police Service and Mayor Scott Gillingham will share details on a plan to combat open drug use in public spaces on Friday.

The police service will hold a news conference Friday morning at 11 a.m. and will discuss a newly launched initiative to crack down on drug trafficking and drug use, according to a Thursday news release.

In a news release, police said the crackdown is in response to an “overwhelming number of community concerns and public safety issues.”

“An increased police presence will be noticed in neighbourhoods adversely affected by open drug use,” the release reads.

In addition to Mayor Gillingham, Winnipeg Police Chief Gene Bowers and Supt. Brian Miln will be speaking at the conference.