Police Inspector Derek Dewar was repeatedly teased about the problem at the group’s board meeting in June.
Sault Ste. Marie’s Downtown Association is putting strong pressure on the city’s police to curb intravenous drug use in Queenstown.
At the group’s board meeting in June, deputy chairman Paul Scornaienchi repeatedly took issue with Inspector Derek Dewar over what he said was a rapidly growing problem.
“We have seen a very sharp increase in the number of people who are simply taking drugs,” Scornaienchi told the inspector.
“And as you know, our kids downtown go to dance and music classes and we have kids shopping at all our dealers. Is it still against the law to do drugs on the street?” Scornaienchi asked.
“When it comes to intravenous drugs, it’s still legal,” Dewar replied.
“If our people come by and see someone sitting on the bench, they can also arrest that person for drug possession. It is up to the officer’s discretion whether to press charges or not.”
“Many of the people who are marginalised are actually victimising someone who already has an addiction problem and a host of other problems on top of that.
“So most of the time officers don’t press charges, they try to get people to go to counseling. The Downtown Ambassador program has been tremendously helpful in that regard, offering people services. But that’s usually the way it works. Of course, we properly dispose of the drugs they’ve used,” Dewar said.
“We’re seeing a big increase to the point where they’re just comfortable with it,” Scornaienchi replied.
“So if you just bring that comment to your team, it comes back exponentially.”
