Owen Sound police arrested nine people during a two-day operation on March 25 and March 26, 2026, targeting public drug use in the downtown River District. The initiative involved both plainclothes and uniformed officers from the Criminal Investigations Branch and the CORE Unit, which resulted in the seizure of several grams of suspected crystal methamphetamine and fentanyl.
This action marks the first concentrated enforcement effort of its kind since Police Chief Craig Ambrose announced a change in policy in March 2025 to resume arrests for public drug use. For several years, local police had largely stopped charging individuals for drug possession due to federal prosecution guidelines that directed authorities away from simple possession cases.
Police Chief Ambrose noted that while officers are resuming enforcement, the department acknowledges that substance use is a complex issue. The police service remains committed to working with community partners to connect individuals to support services, such as through 211 and local mental health and addiction agencies. The department also continues to utilize the Mobile Mental Health and Addiction Response Team, a partnership between the police and the Canadian Mental Health Association that pairs officers with crisis workers to provide direct support for those in need.
The local approach to substance use continues to evolve alongside broader trends. In late 2024, the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police updated its position to no longer support the decriminalization of drug possession unless sufficient support services are in place. Meanwhile, the region continues to provide resources such as the Brightshores Wellness & Recovery Centre, which has served over 2,300 clients since opening in June 2024.
These recent enforcement measures arrive amid documented challenges regarding public health and safety. Data from Grey Bruce Public Health shows that in 2024, there were 215 suspected overdoses in the region, with the majority occurring in Owen Sound. Furthermore, provincial data indicates an 82 per cent increase in suspected opioid overdose calls between April 2025 and January 2026 following the closure of supervised consumption sites province-wide.
