Photo by Bob Schneider - MHPS Chief Andy McGrogan speaks about the panel to look at the socio-economic impacts of supervised consumption sties.

By Alex McCuaig

Supervised consumption sites

SCS just one part of the addiction puzzle says MHPS chief

Aug 19, 2019 | 6:07 PM

Medicine Hat, AB – Medicine Hat’s chief of police says the future of supervised consumption sites is political and the solution to the city’s issues with addictions needs to be multifaceted.

“If there is a holistic look and if that is what this government is trying to determine, what the best steps forward are, so be it,” said Chief Andy McGrogan.

The province announced Monday its panel to look at the socio-economic impacts of supervised consumption sites on communities.

While one of the issues the panel will look at will be social disorder around supervised consumption sites, McGrogan said there is an element of such disorder already in the city due to drug addiction.

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“The social chaos in certain parts of our city – it’s extremely more noticeable now,” said McGrogan. “It’s scary for citizens who don’t understand the addiction.”

McGrogan said while the current situation is far from ideal, setting up a supervised consumption site can’t just be about providing a space for addicts to do drugs.

“I would just like them to find a reasonable approach to this that keeps our people safe and feeling safe when they are walking around the streets of Medicine Hat,” said McGrogan. “I’m not seeing it now but I’m not sure giving them a place to consume and then go out the door and do the same thing is the only answer. There has got to be more to this.”

The panel is expected to visit Medicine Hat sometime in September, though, no firm date has been set.