Good morning. By way of introduction, my name is Mark Mander. I am the chief of police with the Kentville Police Service, and I'm the chair of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police drug abuse committee.
On behalf of CACP president Chief Constable Jim Chu, I would like to express our sincere appreciation to this committee for allowing us the opportunity to contribute to this critical issue. I would also like to congratulate Mr. Lobb on his reappointment as chair of this very important committee, as well as the other members for their appointments.
The CACP, through its 20 public safety and justice related committees, contributes primarily through the justice and human rights, and public safety and national security committees of the House of Commons. For your own background, the CACP represents in excess of 90% of the police community in Canada, which includes federal, first nations, provincial, regional, and municipal police leaders and services. Our mandate is the safety and security of all Canadians through innovative police leadership.
In 2007 the CACP adopted a drug policy that was developed through the drug abuse committee. This policy sets out the position of the CACP on this very important national issue that has a direct impact on Canadians on a day-to-day basis.
Let me provide a brief overview of our drug policy. We believe in a balanced approach to the issue of substance abuse in Canada consisting of prevention, education, enforcement, counselling, treatment, rehabilitation, and where appropriate, alternative measures and diversion of offenders to counter Canada’s drug problems. We believe in a balanced continuum of practice distributed across each component.
In addition, the policy components must be fundamentally lawful and ethical, must consider the interests of all, and must strive to achieve a balance between societal and individual interests. We believe that to the greatest extent possible, initiatives should be evidence based.
You in your deliberations have no doubt heard and will continue to hear the countless stories of families who have painfully and helplessly seen their loved ones succumb to the abyss of substance abuse or even die as a result. Some of these deaths have been from a single experimentation with prescription narcotics. We need to continue to listen to and learn from their voices, as they are the ones who have suffered from what is termed the “unintended consequences” of prescribing.
In 2004 the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, through resolution 08-2004 called upon the federal, provincial and territorial ministers of health to prioritize the implementation of safeguards, in consultation with Canadian policing and pharmaceutical representatives, to prevent the further diversion of prescription drugs to the illicit drug trade.
In this resolution we expressed concern that the illicit use of prescription drugs is a serious health concern and that this could be mitigated through safeguards, which would include enhanced inspections of distributors, enhanced inspections of pharmacies, and the monitoring of excessive doses prescribed in prescriptions. In 2012 we reiterated our position through another resolution.
This problem has grown to impact many communities across Canada. My policing colleagues across this country are increasingly concerned about the number of young people abusing prescription narcotics often accessed from family medicine cabinets and friends. We are concerned about the increase in pharmaceutical-related crimes, including pharmacy robberies, prescription drug diversion, break and enters, trafficking, double doctoring, prescription theft and forgery, drug-impaired driving, as well as theft-related offences committed to fuel the financial needs of people seeking drugs. Most concerning is the large number of deaths that have a direct link to prescription drug abuse. Some of our first nations communities have been hit the hardest, where addiction rates are said to be many times the norm.
While we know that drugs are intrinsically linked to crime, we cannot, however, simply enforce our way out of this problem. We require a national community response to address this crisis.
For us, the way forward has been written. The “First Do No Harm: Responding to Canada’s Prescription Drug Crisis” strategic plan was developed through extensive consultation and work by many stakeholders under the expert guidance and leadership of Michel Perron of the CCSA team.
For the implementation of this strategy to be successful, however, there is a need for continued resourcing. Most important, the federal, territorial, and provincial governments must lead the way by working together to adopt this plan and ensure that it remains a priority over the next number of years.
For policing, the most critical path in this strategy is monitoring and surveillance so we can ensure we are collecting and acting upon the most current and relevant data. Having a nationally coordinated prescription monitoring program is the natural first step.
In the plan for law enforcement, we have undertaken a number of things.
First is to determine the extent of the impact of prescription drugs on law enforcement resources and public safety. Currently we are undergoing a study, which is being facilitated by Public Safety Canada, to determine some of that data.
Second, we want to raise awareness among key law enforcement and justice bodies.
Third, and Cameron referred to this, is to promote safe storage and disposal of prescription drugs. Based on a model used by the DEA in the United States, and the experience of some extensive work in Ontario, the CACP along with Public Safety Canada held a national prescription drug drop-off day on May 11, 2013. Police recorded receiving just over two tonnes of pharmaceutical products on that one day. We plan on continuing this program. This year’s date has been set; it's May 10.
Fourth, we want to identify the gaps in tools or training for criminal justice professionals to better address the illicit use of prescription drugs.
Fifth, we want to ensure death investigations across Canada are conducted in an evidence informed and consistent manner. This process is currently under way as well.
Sixth, we want to identify and address barriers to immediate access to and sharing of relevant information. We feel the prescription drug monitoring program is the way we can do that.
In closing, prescription drug abuse cuts across a multitude of service providers and stakeholders. The CACP is but one of the players. We are willing to step up and do our part in resolving this national crisis.
Thank you.