Owen Sound police arrested eight individuals during a two-day drug enforcement operation in the downtown core on May 25 and 26, 2026, targeting public drug consumption. Officers from the Criminal Investigations Branch, Drug Enforcement Unit, and C.O.R.E. Unit used both uniformed and plainclothes officers to focus on individuals openly using drugs in areas visible to the public. Investigators also seized quantities of suspected fentanyl and crystal methamphetamine.
The Owen Sound Police Service said this was the second such operation since it changed its enforcement approach last spring. The first, on March 25 and 26, led to nine arrests. Police Chief Craig Ambrose had previously stated that the service had swung too far toward harm reduction and needed to address the visible effects of public drug use. The latest arrests follow a period since around 2021 when police largely stopped charging people for simple possession.
The police service indicated the enforcement initiative will continue, and residents and business owners can expect to see a heightened police presence downtown. The eight arrested during continued downtown drug enforcement initiative announcement emphasized that the service works with community agencies and health partners to balance enforcement with support for addiction.
Dave Parsons, chair of the River District board of management, welcomed the arrests, saying it has been a concern for a very long time and “it is good to see some arrests” and crediting the increased police presence with helping people feel safer. He noted that in the past, people could openly use drugs downtown, and now police have more tools to respond.
However, advocates like Francesca Dobbyn, Executive Director of United Way of Bruce Grey, have raised concerns that an enforcement-first approach does not address the root causes of addiction. She cautioned that pushing people to use drugs alone and out of sight could increase the risk of fatal overdoses. While Grey-Bruce saw a sharp drop in opioid overdoses and deaths in 2025 compared to 2024, the toxic drug supply remains a concern.
