Police warn teens they’re watching with grad party season underway

LOWER MAINLAND (NEWS 1130) – As grad party season gets underway, police are asking teens to use their common sense when facing decisions about drug use and risky behaviour.

While underage drinking and excessive noise remain some of the main concerns, the current opioid crisis is a realistic worry for parents and police.

North Vancouver RCMP Sergeant Peter DeVries says they don’t want anyone to use drugs, but for those who do, don’t do it alone. “Our advice to youths is to not engage in illicit drug use and in particular around this grad season time avoid any kind of suspicious kind of substance or pills. Don’t get involved with any of those kinds of things. Don’t use any illegal drugs, at all. That is the legal decision to make and that’s the correct decision to make, it’s also the safest decision to make.”

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Given BC continues to grapple with year-after-year of record setting opioid deaths, DeVries says they’re keeping a close eye on this grad season. “We acknowledge we do have a drug crisis in the Lower Mainland and some of those who are injured by these drugs are youths. So, to take a realistic approach I think is very important.”

West Vancouver Police Constable Kevin Goodmurphy says many of these situations can be easily avoided with the help of parents. He says having a conversation with your kids can set expectations of behaviour, especially when your child is away from adult supervision and with their friends.

“It’s important for parents to have conversations with their kids about where they’re going, who they’re going to be with and what they’re going to be doing. Often, having that knowledge is key for the parents. Asking the right questions is really important, again, to just make sure their children are safe and not putting themselves in situations that may put them at risk.”

When it comes to the opioid crisis, Goodmurphy has a direct message for teens. “Often decision they’re making now can sometimes stick with them throughout their entire lives, especially if it has to do with negative interactions with police.”

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If there is a run-in with police, Goodmurphy explains officers have a few options to deal with youth.

“Usually the best situation for us is a conversation with that young person about some of the choices they’re about to make or they’ve made. We will usually always bring the parents into that conversation, whether that’s a phone call or perhaps a trip home to have a conversation with the parents and the young person. But from that everything up to and including arrests have been made for criminal offences.

He adds there are a few places that officers keep a close eye on during the summer months.

“We do have issues with groups wanting to light fires, campfires or gather in large groups where they’re perhaps making more noise than they realize. We understand young people want a place to go and to congregate and they have the right do that, but we want to make sure they’re making good, sound decisions and not doing things that are putting other people at risk as well,” explains Goodmurphy.

Both police departments on the North Shore say there are no specific key hotspots where teens hang out, but parks and beaches are definitely on the list.