The Kamloops councillor behind the push to have illicit drug use in public parks and spaces made illegal in the city says she’s “less hopeful” that her plan will become a reality.

It comes in the wake of Interior Health releasing a position paper Friday last week, suggesting municipalities within the health authority must hold off on enacting any bylaws connected to decriminalization until six-months into the three year pilot, which began on January 31.

“I find that the six-month window is unacceptable,” Councillor Katie Neustaeter said.

“I came here to do a job and I was really clear about what it would be. This was a big part of what I wrote in my platform and I am going to do what I said I am going to do, and I only have four years to do it.”

In a statement to RadioNL, the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions has confirmed that the letter sent by Interior Health on Friday was not done at a provincial level, meaning that six-month window before bringing in bylaws banning public drug use is not a Ministry mandate.

Earlier last week, IH’s Public Health Officer in Kamloops weighed in on the idea of banning the use of illicit drugs in the City’s public parks, suggesting she feels it’s a step too far.

Fenton’s comments drew the ire of Kamloops Councillor Bill Sarai, who said IH only offers solutions that are “enabling.”

Neustaeter added that the six-month period delays a process that she says it meant to try and keep people safe, noting local leaders have several questions that need to be answered.

“What is your plan? Tell us. In the absence of that plan, you better believe that local decision-makers are going to make decisions to hear the concerns of our community,” she said, noting she is hoping that IH will come to the table to listen to and discuss the city’s concerns.

“This is a dialogue opening. I think they are seeing a secondary intention of my motion, which was that municipalities across the province would speak up and say, ‘We are similarly concerned with the total lack of guidance here.'”