With zero enforcement issues, and only two complaints in four years, Chilliwack council decided to continue to allow summertime consumption of alcohol in Vedder Park.
But one of those two complaints arrived this week in the city inbox, from Fraser Health medical health officer Dr. Jing Hu, who wrote a letter cautioning council against making it permanent.
“It has come to my attention that Chilliwack is proposing to permit annual, seasonal consumption of alcohol at Vedder Park,” wrote Dr. Hu in a letter March 19. “I would like to take this opportunity to express my concerns regarding the proposed bylaw and strongly caution against it as its implementation further normalizes alcohol consumption, a substance that we know causes significant harms to individuals and communities.”
It was treated like an experiment at first but when city staff determined after a survey, and a review that it had created no enforcement headaches, council voted to continue allowing responsible consumption of alcohol in Vedder Park the past few summers.
The letter from Hu warns that alcohol is “a leading cause of preventable death, harms and disability,” whereby even moderate amounts can have serious consequences. Hu went further suggested a health official should have been consulted before the practice was made permanent.
Chilliwack is already challenged with the high rates of alcohol consumption, Hu said, and in 2022 the average in Chilliwack was at 11 standard drinks per week, which is considered “well above” the high risk level for health harms.
Despite the two-page letter of caution from the Fraser Health official, council approved the seasonal practice in Vedder Park, from June to October.
During the council discussion, Coun. Bud Mercer pointed out that he found it “ironic” that a health official was objecting to the use of alcohol in parks given the legalization of use of drugs like fentanyl, heroine or meth in parks.
And regarding being consulted, as a city Chilliwack was never consulted when legalization and permitting park use of heavy drugs was being considered.
“It’s a bit disingenuous that they want to be consulted now on something that gives us absolutely zero problems, and something that has been enjoyed by the citizens of Chilliwack. I fully support this,” Mercer said.
Coun. Chris Kloot agreed and said he appreciated the correspondence from Fraser Health on the risks of alcohol, but he too wondered if they had raised any health concerns or complaints about allowing the use of hard drugs in their parks, and was told not to staff’s knowledge.
READ MORE: Chilliwack experiment with alcohol in park starts again
But despite garnering few complaints, alcohol is associated with social harm, and costs in B.C. estimated at $2.81 billion in 2020, “considerably higher than those associated with tobacco or opioids,” the letter from Hu stated.
“Permitting consumption of alcohol in public parks contributes to over-normalization of alcohol among the entire community, including children and youth,” the doctor’s letter continued.
“Parks contribute to community wellness by offering spaces for social connection, connection with nature and active living. Alcohol consumption does not align with that purpose and permitting alcohol consumption in parks creates a sense that alcohol is a normal part of everyday living, minimizing the real risks and harms.”
The medical health officer acknowledged the practice had undergone some evaluation, and she urged ongoing monitoring and evaluation to be strengthened, and signage added with health and safety info for the public.