Doug Palson
Arresting people for alcohol and drug addictions and substance abuse won’t solve the problem.
Chief Doug Palson made the comment when asked by Council about high addiction rates and corresponding crime rates in the community.
“We will do everything we can as the police to work with the community to help address some of these issues, but until all levels of government accept it as being a public health issue and treat it as such, with proper treatment centres and such, I’m not sure how far and how we are going to go.”
Palson stresses they will continue to work hard in an attempt to climb the mountain.
He adds, “Addiction is not criminal. It’s not a crime to be addicted to a substance. It’s frustrating some times and people living in the community wondering why are people acting like that or something like that but I think we need to dig deeper and get down to some of the root causes.”
Palson states, “We saw it happen with cannabis already and folks it’s happening and it will, maybe not next year, but the decriminalization, I didn’t say legalization, I said decriminalization of the use of possession of most drugs which are illegal now is probably coming.”
He says tangible treatment options must be in place.
Palson says police agencies across the north will continue to push for enhanced support services including treatment centres.
