An excellent letter sent to the Park Board yesterday by two signers of this petition. You still have a few hours to write an email to <PBCommissioners@vancouver.ca>
April 23, 2023 8:20pm
To: Vancouver Parks Board.
Re: Unsupervised alcohol consumption in public parks: the case against.
“In 2017, alcohol use cost British Columbians an estimated $2.38 billion, surpassing tobacco as the costliest substance. There were an estimated $838 million in direct health care costs, $989.7 million in lost productivity and $311.4 million in criminal justice costs, a portion of which directly impacts budgets at the Municipal level. These costs are expected to rise.”
NOT JUST A WALK IN THE PARK: UNSUPERVISED ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION ON MUNICIPAL PROPERTIES IN BC
The Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research, 2021.
Prior to the COVID 19 pandemic, alcohol consumption was not allowed in any public spaces within BC. Obviously, public drinking was widespread but it was not officially sanctioned. However… prolonged epidemic precautions have resulted in profound changes of opinion on subjects that would not have been considered even 3 years ago. Loosening prohibition on public drinking is just one small part of this spectrum of change. As with the civil rights turbulence of the 60s, the times are certainly changing, but, before leaping in to every cry for change, it is important to decide if the change in question is truly necessary or whether it is simply change for change’s sake.
Public drinking raises strong opinions so, predictably, decisions vary across Canada. In Penticton, drinking on selected beaches was first legalized during pandemic-mandated closure of pubs and restaurants (https://globalnews.ca/news/8792545/penticton-select-beach-public-drinking-returns/) and, it should be added, no increase in irresponsible behaviour was noted. In Montreal it is fine to drink in public but you have to be eating a meal. Last summer in Toronto, public drinking was discussed at Council and a continuing ban supported by a large majority.
The arguments for and against are not difficult to predict. Those in favour of public drinking generally stress that responsible adults can be trusted to act responsibly. The relaxed attitude to drinking in Europe is often brought up (https://montecristomagazine.com/community/european-case-vancouverites-able-drink-parks) without mentioning its associated problems such as the high rate of binge drinking in British 16 year olds (Viner R, J Epidemiology Community Health 2007;61:902). Those against public drinking frequently use the “You’ve got to be joking” argument. Previous Stanley Cup riots, in which alcohol was a factor, are often mentioned in support https://dailyhive.com/vancouver/every-vancouver-riot. Alcohol consumption in BC is above the Canadian average and it is increasing each year. As the quote at the top of this letter reveals, the resulting physical and economic harms are considerable and expected to increase. Under these circumstances, encouraging new ways to drink is not a sensible idea.
A detailed research-based review of the pros and cons of public drinking was published in 2021 by The Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research (CISUR) based at the University of Victoria.
Whatever one’s opinions, it is essential reading. We can do no better than quote one of the report’s conclusions:
“Allowing alcohol consumption on public properties will increase secondhand harms of alcohol in the community including assault, gender-based violence and other forms of violent crime, reduced ability to enjoy shared public spaces, acute injuries (e.g. broken glass bottles) and vandalized park amenities.”
The report on public drinking quoted in this letter, was prepared by University-based experts. It clearly lists the harms that can be expected from a policy of legalizing unsupervised public drinking. Their conclusion was that increasing public drinking would likely worsen associated harms within communities and that it should not be implemented. We strongly urge you to read this report and to follow its recommendations. Thank you for your attention.
Best wishes,
Dr Mike Seear and Diana Seear