The use of illegal drugs will be banned in parks and on beaches, as well as near entrances and bus stations in British Columbia.

Prime Minister David Eby and Public Safety Minister Mike Farnworth announced the legislation on Thursday through the Public Consumption of Illicit Substances Restriction Act, which, upon approval, will limit the places where drugs can be consumed while possession remains illegal.

Drug use will also be prohibited within a six-meter radius of building entrances, including businesses and residential buildings; within six meters of a bus station; in parks, beaches, and sports fields; and within 15 meters of playgrounds, splash pads, and skate parks.

"If passed, the legislation will allow police officers to ask anyone using drugs in any of these places to stop the activity and leave the area to a more suitable location, such as a supervised consumption site or an overdose prevention site," according to a statement from the province.

The restrictions, according to officials, are similar to those that regulate the use of alcohol and tobacco in public places. Eby stated that the introduction of provincial legislation comes at a time when municipalities have raised concerns about drug use in public places and have established their own internal regulations.

This move to decriminalize possession comes amid a toxic drug crisis that has taken the lives of thousands of British Columbians since the declaration of a public health emergency in 2016. The intention of this step is to reduce stigma and recognize that criminalizing individuals who use drugs is an ineffective response to the deadly crisis, officials said.

Farnworth also stated in a statement: "We want people to be able to come forward to seek help and not be afraid of arrest because of their struggle with addiction, and we also recognize that places where children and families gather are not places where people should be using drugs."