Recently, I had a disturbing experience at a public park that compelled me to take action. My family and I, like many others, often visit our local park to enjoy the outdoors and let our children play safely. However, this time was different. I encountered a woman who was evidently under the influence of drugs in the park's bathroom. She occupied the bathroom for an extended period, and when I checked on her, I discovered a shocking and unsanitary mess: bloody tampons and pads scattered around, with her bike obstructing the entrance. She was incoherently mumbling and after my confrontation, she left with her companions, equally impaired. I cleaned up the whole mess and even asked if she needed help. I’m so glad my friend was there to keep an eye on my kids while I dealt with this bizarre situation. We know it was her mess because we had used the same bathroom, five minutes prior to her entering it.

This unsettling experience didn't end there. As I sat on a bench nearby, I shockingly found a crack pipe on the ground near my child's bike. This was not an isolated incident. I also dealt with it by putting it in the garbage and reporting to RCMP. Reports of similar occurrences have been filtering in from locals who have witnessed drug use and its remnants in our parks—places meant to be safe havens for families and individuals alike.

This is not to exclude anyone, but the drug epidemic has gone too far! In my heart, I want all citizens to feel welcome and to feel a part of the community. But people under the influence of drugs are not going to find help from children who are innocently playing at schools or in public parks. 

Far too many times I've seen people under the influence of drugs acting inappropriately. And children deserve a safe place to play, and the unfortunate deserve their own safe space where they can get the help they need or just be in their own reality. Enough exposure. Time to give tough love!

Public parks should be spaces where community members can enjoy fresh air, nature, and leisure activities without the fear of encountering drug paraphernalia or individuals under the influence of substances. Witnessing such behavior not only endangers the safety of visitors, especially children, but also undermines the community's trust in these recreational spaces. It's imperative that our public parks remain clean, safe, and drug-free.

The heart of our community rests in its public spaces—areas intended for recreation and family gatherings, not for illegal substance use. We need local government and law enforcement to take urgent measures to prevent drug users from treating our parks as safe havens for their activities. This includes increasing patrols, installing surveillance cameras, and implementing strict penalties for drug-related activities.

By signing this petition, you are standing with me to urge our local authorities to take immediate action. We need to enforce stricter regulations to ensure our parks are preserved as safe and wholesome environments for everyone. Let's work together to reclaim our public spaces and make them enjoyable for our families again. Sign this petition to demand a change now.