‘We’ve got to do more’: Charlottetown city council pledge to fight illegal drug trade.

City councillor Mitchell Tweel speaks to council members on his motion to fight illegal drug-trade with a provincial law. Yakosu Umana photo

By Yakosu Umana

Dec. 10, 2019

A city councilor voiced his concerned about the alarming rate of drug houses in Charlottetown during the city council’s monthly meeting last night.

Coun. Mitchell Tweel said the city has 70 drug houses and the number is growing.

“Desperate measures call for desperate actions,” he said.

The council agreed, which is why they approved a resolution to ask Premier Dennis King to create a provincial law that would potentially eliminate illegal drug trade in the city.

Council in session.  Yakosu Umana photo.

The Civil Forfeiture Law will give police the right to seize property during drug busts or other illegal activities. 

“The issue of drugs in the constituency I represent and across the city, is disturbing, it’s dangerous, it’s unsafe, it’s a hazard, it’s interfering with the quality of life,” Coun. Tweel said.

Some residents are threatening to move they’re seeing too much activity near their homes, he said.

Coun. Robert Doiron agreed the creation of a provincial law is a good idea.

“I applaud you [Tweel] for pushing this forward, but I think the whole police department can work with you and council to see we can do this right.”

P.E.I. needs to follow the nation’s trend, Tweel said.

“It’s not only being proactive, but it’s following the national trend.

 “There are two provinces that don’t have this legislation, P.E.I. and N.L.”

The councilors voted unanimously in favour of the resolution.