The Illicit Drug Task Force report was commissioned with a view to identifying recommendations to reduce the use and effects of illicit drugs in Manitoba communities. The recommendations focus on increasing safety through prevention, education, treatment, and enforcement and disruption of supply.

“The purpose of this (task force) was to really amplify the sense of urgency and actions by all levels of government”

The key recommendations included:

• Develop and promote community safety networks.
• Use a Crime Stoppers campaign to target information on illicit drugs and dealers, with funding for cash rewards.
• Develop accessible, culturally appropriate recreation opportunities for children and youth.
• Seek business support to create employment opportunities.
• Create safe spaces with extended hours, ideally operating 24/7.
• Expand the Winnipeg Drug Treatment Court and add other drug treatment courts outside of Winnipeg and identify affordable housing for participants.
• Create “enforcement and disruption teams” through law enforcement to combat the illicit drug trade.
• Establish a co-ordinated approach to detoxification, medical transition, treatment and supportive housing.
• Increase hours at rapid access to addictions medicine clinics and increase spaces for treatment they refer to.
• Increase emergent telehealth services for adult and youth mental health and addictions services.
• Add withdrawal management services and amend the Intoxicated Persons Detention Act to address meth addiction and withdrawal challenges.
• Create centralized needle distribution.
• Create an alert system to share information on emerging issues.

See the full article HERE.

(Posted by Case Closed Software – the leading solution for law enforcement task force use)