PLEA gratefully acknowledges our primary core funder the Law Foundation of Saskatchewan for their continuing and generous support of our organization.
Dealing with drugs and alcohol in the community usually involves a few key areas. Education about drugs and alcohol can prevent problems from arising in the first place. Laws can be aimed at reducing the supply of illegal drugs. Laws can also regulate use of prescription drugs, alcohol and other substances. Offering support and treatment to people affected by drug or alcohol dependency is equally important.
Throughout our communities, there are people working together to tackle problems with drugs, alcohol and crime. They include:
Increasing awareness of the legal tools that are available is a good place to start when dealing with these problems. Learning about some innovative approaches used elsewhere can also be helpful.
Sometimes, drug and alcohol use in the community can hit very close to home. A suspected "drug house" or "booze can" on your block can raise all kinds of concerns. People may come and go at all hours of the day and night. These homes are sometimes turned into fortresses with bars on the windows and doors. Neighbours may not actually witness any crimes and the noise or disruption may not amount to enough to justify a call to the police.
To deal with this, Saskatchewan has enacted The Safer Communities and Neighbourhoods Act (SCAN). Under SCAN, community members can make complaints about problem residences or businesses. Their identity will be kept confidential. SCAN targets residences, commercial buildings and lands that are habitually used for illegal activities, such as:
If justified, the SCAN Investigation Unit may investigate the matter. Following an investigation, property owners may be issued a warning letter. If efforts to fix the problem are unsuccessful, a court may order that the property be closed.
If a property is closed under a Community Safety Order, occupants must leave immediately. Anyone refusing to leave may be removed. No one can enter or occupy the property without approval.
SCAN also allows police to deal with public safety concerns related to fortified buildings. These buildings are designed to keep out law enforcement. They may have bars on windows and doors, extra metal plating, or other types of reinforcement. These things can prevent police officers, firefighters or ambulance personnel from entering the house. If these types of fortification cause public safety concerns, the Act provides a process to ensure that they are removed.
SCAN acts as a useful tool for dealing with so-called "booze cans". These are houses where people gather to purchase or use alcohol and illicit substances. The Act can also be used to deal with makeshift meth labs. Meth labs pose a serious danger to neighbourhoods. They are at high risk for fires and explosions. They also produce by-products that are extremely hazardous to anyone who comes into direct or indirect contact with them.
More information about this legislation is available from the Government of Saskatchewan. You can also report a problem property online or by calling 1-866-51-SAFER (1-866-517-2337). Your call will be kept confidential.
The Alcohol and Gaming Regulation Act, 1997 regulates the sale and service of alcohol in Saskatchewan. It is illegal for anyone under the age of 19 to buy, possess or drink alcohol. Penalties for this include fines of up to $2,000. It is also illegal to give or sell alcohol to a person under 19 years old. Penalties in this case include fines of up to $10,000 and jail time of up to two months.
The law does make an exception which allows a parent or guardian to provide alcohol to their underage child in a private place such as a home. The spouse of an underage person can also do the same. There are also exceptions for doctors giving alcohol as medical treatment and for religious events.
People of legal drinking age can legally drink in a private residence such as a house, apartment or hotel. This typically includes the private property around the residence, such as a yard. Drinking is allowed in public at licensed premises such as bars and beer gardens. Municipalities may also establish public places where adults are allowed to drink alcohol, such as in parks. A municipality that creates such a space must put up signs setting out where and when drinking is permitted.
Other than these places, people cannot drink alcohol in public. It is also an offence to be intoxicated in public. The police may issue a ticket to or arrest anyone they believe has committed an alcohol-related offence.
More information about tobacco and vapour products control is available from the Government of Saskatchewan. This includes tools to help raise awareness about the dangers of tobacco and vapour products use and tips to help engage youth, school communities and the community at large.
The use of tobacco and vapour products in our communities is the cause of many preventable illnesses and deaths. The Tobacco and Vapour Products Control Act regulates smoking and vaping in Saskatchewan. This law is designed to ensure that young people have reduced access to these products. It also help protect communities from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke. For this reason, smoking and using vapour products is not allowed:
Selling tobacco or vapour products to people under 19 years of age is prohibited. Advertising and displaying these products is also strictly regulated. Certain businesses are not allowed to sell these products at all, including:
Municipalities may have bylaws that further restrict the use of tobacco or vapour products. Check with your municipality to see if there is a bylaw that applies.
It is a criminal offence to create a disturbance by being intoxicated in a public place. Being drunk and singing loudly, shouting or fighting are some examples of behaviour that could create a disturbance. This offence carries a maximum sentence of a $5,000 fine or 2 years in jail or both. A conviction will result in a criminal record.
The Controlled Drugs and Substances Act regulates criminal offences related to drugs, such as possession and trafficking. It also includes several aggravating factors for the courts to consider when setting a sentence. Aggravating factors include things like where the offence:
Trespassing in Saskatchewan is dealt with by The Trespass to Property Act. Trespassing occurs when someone enters private property and they do not have a right to be there. It also occurs when a property owner or occupier asks someone to leave but they do not. This can include through signage that says, for example, loitering is not allowed. In these cases, police can remove, arrest and fine the trespasser.
Communities across the province have local bylaws to deal with matters such as:
Municipalities can take action against anyone who contravenes a bylaw. Check with your municipality to see if there are any bylaws that apply.
Communities can work together to find solutions for problems affecting them. Finding ways to involve youth and school communities can contribute to local success stories. Community action that can make a difference may include things like:
PLEA offers free online training on preventing and addressing workplace harassment.