ILLEGAL DRUG USE WON'T BE IGNORED BY POLICE

Kelowna RCMP members will treat drug use in a proposed transitional
housing facility the same way they treat drug use anywhere: With enforcement.

"I'm not going to support anything where they break the law," said
Kelowna RCMP superintendent Bill McKinnon.

"If they are in residence and they have possession of an illegal
substance and if we have reasonable and probable ground we will
enforce the law."

McKinnon spoke with the Capital News as the debate around the
transitional housing unit continues.

While he says drug use in and around the apartment style complex will
be dealt with accordingly, he also said if it helps drug addicts then
it will help the police.

"We support anything that helps addicts because we deal with the
fallout and behaviour that usually follows addicts," said McKinnon.
"Where do they get money to buy drugs? Usually its through criminal
means like theft."

McKinnon says for the facility to legally allow its residents to use
illegal drugs it would need to apply for ministerial approval through
the B.C. Solicitor General as Vancouver's safe injection site did.

The Interior Health Authority says it has no plans to apply for such approval.