Cobourg Police Services Board Issues Statement Over Unsanctioned Overdose Prevention Site
As a result of the publicity over a unsanctioned overdose prevention site, the Cobourg Police Services Board has issued a statement.
Chair Ron Kerr on behalf of the Cobourg Police Services Board issued the statement on Wednesday, March 22, 2023.
Re: overdose prevention site
The Cobourg Police Services Board (the Board) has received questions from the community on the planned unauthorized overdose prevention site in the Town of Cobourg. We want
to provide clarification.
Community safety continues to be the Board’s top priority.
The Board does not support unauthorized safe consumption sites. We support the lawful process of applying for consumption and treatment services through Health Canada.
The Police Service and the Board shall follow the rules and standards under the Police Service Act, the Criminal Code of Canada, and other directives. Under these laws and guidelines, police have no legal authority to take enforcement or any other action to remove the overdose prevention site or any safe consumption site on private property.
The police service continues to adhere to the Federal Crown’s 2020 directive to not charge or arrest individuals for simple possession and to focus on more serious Controlled Drugs and Substances Act offences that raise public safety concerns, such as drug trafficking.
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