SinceKudos to Cobourg Police for its ongoing efforts in relation to open air drug use, possession, and trafficking...4 days ago Cobourg Police Service conducted targeted enforcement in Cobourg's downtown area and seized a quantity of Schedule I substances. 8 adults were arrested for the possession after being observed engaging in the consumption of illicit drugs.
Message to Durham Region Police Service...WHERE IS DRPS ON THIS? Sept 29th last year Oshawa Council approved my Notice of Motion on this very subject CNCL-25-63 concerning the open and flagrant use of controlled drugs and substances. The motion noted that open-air drug use reduces quality of life, impacts addiction recovery support areas, and attracts related crime... and that it appears that such offences occurring in Oshawa and Region of Durham parks, sidewalks, and other properties adjacent to such municipal properties are not being prosecuted.
OSHAWA COUNCIL requested the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada take appropriate action to address this public concern; and, that a copy of this resolution be sent to the Attorney General of Ontario ...and Durham Regional Police Service.
That was almost one year ago. Why is DRPS not joining the other Ontario municipal police departments enforcing the use of illicit drugs in our streets and reporting on it?
Since April 2026, DRPS has been working on the second year of Project Atlantis for a co-ordinated effort to reduce public disorder and drug-related crime through the summer months, and "which represents the 5th consecutive year of focused downtown safety efforts in Oshawa": DRPS Launches Project Atlantis II and Unveils New UTV to Support Downtown Safety in Oshawa | Durham Regional Police Service
Although the situation of many individuals heating and using illicit drugs on the downtown sidewalks and in Oshawa parks continues with little reporting of arrests, I am hopeful when Atlantis II concludes the end of this summer there will be a full report with stats and learned outcomes.
We hear various members of the public say that any real success is futile considering the number of repeat offenders. But as anyone who quit smoking after many failed attempts knows, addictive bad habits are difficult to break and involve many attempts. And to those who say the problem is in cities everywhere, well, it may be, but that doesn't make it inevitable or permanent. It is not something to give up on just because it is so prevalent.
AND MORE GOOD NEWS ENFOREMENT ACTION BEING TAKEN ON ILLEGAL DRUG USE IN PUBLIC — the Premier of Ontario today announced transit officers will be given new powers to ticket and arrest people for the use of illicit drugs on the transit network www.ctvnews.ca/canada/article/why-ontario-giving-its-transit-officers-new-arresting-powers-has-got-the-attention-of-other-canadian-cities/
Message to Durham Region Police Service...WHERE IS DRPS ON THIS? Sept 29th last year Oshawa Council approved my Notice of Motion on this very subject CNCL-25-63 concerning the open and flagrant use of controlled drugs and substances. The motion noted that open-air drug use reduces quality of life, impacts addiction recovery support areas, and attracts related crime... and that it appears that such offences occurring in Oshawa and Region of Durham parks, sidewalks, and other properties adjacent to such municipal properties are not being prosecuted.
OSHAWA COUNCIL requested the Minister of Justice and Attorney General of Canada take appropriate action to address this public concern; and, that a copy of this resolution be sent to the Attorney General of Ontario ...and Durham Regional Police Service.
That was almost one year ago. Why is DRPS not joining the other Ontario municipal police departments enforcing the use of illicit drugs in our streets and reporting on it?
Since April 2026, DRPS has been working on the second year of Project Atlantis for a co-ordinated effort to reduce public disorder and drug-related crime through the summer months, and "which represents the 5th consecutive year of focused downtown safety efforts in Oshawa": DRPS Launches Project Atlantis II and Unveils New UTV to Support Downtown Safety in Oshawa | Durham Regional Police Service
Although the situation of many individuals heating and using illicit drugs on the downtown sidewalks and in Oshawa parks continues with little reporting of arrests, I am hopeful when Atlantis II concludes the end of this summer there will be a full report with stats and learned outcomes.
We hear various members of the public say that any real success is futile considering the number of repeat offenders. But as anyone who quit smoking after many failed attempts knows, addictive bad habits are difficult to break and involve many attempts. And to those who say the problem is in cities everywhere, well, it may be, but that doesn't make it inevitable or permanent. It is not something to give up on just because it is so prevalent.
AND MORE GOOD NEWS ENFOREMENT ACTION BEING TAKEN ON ILLEGAL DRUG USE IN PUBLIC — the Premier of Ontario today announced transit officers will be given new powers to ticket and arrest people for the use of illicit drugs on the transit network www.ctvnews.ca/canada/article/why-ontario-giving-its-transit-officers-new-arresting-powers-has-got-the-attention-of-other-canadian-cities/
