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

Winnipeg police and Mayor Scott Gillingham share details of an initiative targeting open drug use and drug trafficking in the city.

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.

CTV News Winnipeg will live-stream the event.

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.

This is a developing story. More details to come.