“On October 17, Vancouverites have a chance to be heard on public safety. Today’s Drug User Liberation Front (DULF) ruling makes that vote more important than ever.
The ruling, and Justice Murray’s praise for DULF members’ work, are unsettling. The drug crisis demands urgent, compassionate action, but allowing people to buy and sell illicit hard drugs is not the answer.
Furthermore, the Crown’s decision not to call any subject-matter experts as witnesses is deeply concerning. Frankly, Vancouverites deserve better than inaction on these critical issues.
Harm reduction cannot be the only tool we use to combat the drug crisis. People need a real path to treatment and recovery, and our streets need to be safe for everyone. To get there, we must start with prevention and the right balance of public health and public safety.
The Public Safety Plebiscite gives Vancouverites a direct say. A clear result will provide the newly elected Mayor and Council a strong mandate to take their message to Victoria and Ottawa. After decades of crisis, we have the power to choose a different path. Let’s bring unity to Vancouver. Let’s bring hope to Vancouver.”
—Mayor Ken Sim, ABC Vancouver
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Media contact:
media@abcvancouver.ca