Premier David Eby said his government remains committed to treating addiction as a mental health issue rather than a criminal issue.
But he also reiterated promises to address ongoing concerns about public safety and diversion.
“(We) are not going to let it (this issue) go,” he said Thursday during an unrelated event in Langley. “We are going to ensure that communities are safe for British Columbians, so that people feel safe in beautiful parks like this in communities right across the province, (and) as well that we are getting people the treatment that they need, so that they can rebuild their lives.