The Record: Should possession of small quantities of drugs be decriminalized?

WATERLOO REGION — Decriminalizing possession of small quantities of illicit drugs may get traction here in 2022 with the support of Waterloo Regional Police Chief Bryan Larkin and Regional Chair Karen Redman.

“I do think that decriminalization overall will start to address an overall stigma and allow us to recognize that this is a health issue. It’s similar to other health issues that people need to find their way around,” Larkin said. “I guess at the heart of this we’re talking about people.”

Regional Chair Karen Redman, who also chairs the board of health and police services board, said she would support the move. “I do support them,” Redman said. “I think obviously it needs to be multi-jurisdictional. We need to have the federal government on board but I think that it has proved in other jurisdictions that it has helped reduce drug use among vulnerable populations.”

Instead of criminal charges police would help connect individuals with community addiction resources.

Such a program isn’t in place yet.

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Regional Coun. Tom Galloway is a former police board chair and a current member of the Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council. “These people need help, they don’t need to be criminalized,” Galloway said. He feels decriminalization should be Canada wide, rather than having exemptions by municipality. Galloway is also advocating for preventive or upstream measures that could prevent interactions with police.

“I definitely agree that we’re spending way too much police resources and resources within the criminal justice system criminalizing small quantities,” Galloway said.

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