3 perspectives on (open) drug use on London’s streets [Video]

An uptick in visible drug use on the city’s streets has some Londoners expressing safety concerns while businesses are saying they’re fed up and others paying for security guards to crack down on the problem. 

This week, CBC’s London Morning radio program heard from three people who understand the impact of drug use on individuals, families, and community well being. Here are their perspectives:

Thai Truong, London’s police chief

Chief Thai Truong has said he wants to improve safety, and has more financial resources at his disposal than ever before to do so. The police foot patrol is a mainstay on Dundas Street, and last week, the London Police Service announced it had hired 19 special constables to improve response times. 

But Truong admits, when it comes to open drug use, the public perception is that officers don’t respond. Asked why more arrests aren’t made when police see people smoking and injecting drugs in public places, here’s what he had …