B.C decriminalize drugs

The decriminalization of small amounts of illicit substances – such as illicit fentanyl, heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine – in B.C. is made possible by ...

Ms. Malcolmson told reporters in April that Ottawa was considering the application with a lower threshold. More recently, it permitted pharmacists to prescribe, sell and transfer prescriptions for controlled substances so people with substance-use disorders could continue to get medications during the pandemic. The new rules will not apply at elementary and secondary school premises, at licensed child care facilities, in airports, or on Canadian Coast Guard vessels and helicopter. Decriminalization in B.C. is made possible through an exemption from federal drug laws. Fear of arrest can keep people who use drugs from seeking help, incarceration is associated with increased overdose risk, and Indigenous and racialized communities are disproportionately impacted. The production, trafficking and exportation of these drugs will remain illegal.

More than 9400 people have died in the six years since the B.C. government declared the overdose crisis a public health emergency. The federal government is now ...

“The shocking number of lives lost to the overdose crisis requires bold actions and significant policy change. “Criminalizing members of our communities who use drugs has resulted in decades of causing further harm to many who are already suffering from mental or physical health challenges and/or the effects of emotional or physical trauma,” Lisa Lapointe said in the news release. “By removing the fear and shame of drug use, we will be able to remove barriers that prevent Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions people from accessing harm reduction services and treatment programs.” The province provided a 43-page report to the federal government as part of the exemption application, detailing the recent increase in deaths linked to higher concentrations of fentanyl. The B.C. government will now work with the federal government, health authorities, law enforcement, people with lived and living experience, Indigenous partners and community organizations to establish indicators to establish outcomes. “By decriminalizing people who use drugs, we will break down the stigma that stops people from accessing life-saving support and services.”

The federal government has announced that starting early next year, British Columbia will be the first province in Canada to decriminalize possession of ...

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Policy aims to stem record number of overdose deaths by easing a fear of arrest by those who need help.

“Fear and shame keeps drug use a secret,” she said. He said the exemption from Canada’s drug laws is just the start. This is why the Government of Canada treats substance use as a health issue, not a criminal one,” tweeted Dr Theresa Tam, Canada’s chief public health officer. This is a big, big thing,” Stewart said. He said one week it was his own family member. “Stigma and fear of criminalization cause some people to hide their drug use, use alone, or use in other ways that increase the risk of harm.

The federal government formally handed B.C. an exemption under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act on Tuesday.

Instead, we should be offering them safe supply and addiction treatment as a caring society,” White said in a statement. “These are people’s children and I agree we need to be working on that piece. “It is a half step. If we are working toward harm reduction by decriminalization to reduce users’ fear and isolation, the needs of those living in remote communities must also be considered,” said the council’s chair Doug White in a statement. It is a little bit disheartening to actually come and say, ‘We are going to do this,’ but do it in a half measure,” Jennens said. It paves the way for the decriminalization of possession of small amounts of some illegal drugs in the province.

Canada is allowing the province of British Columbia to try a three-year experiment in decriminalizing possession of small amounts of drugs.

“The real solution to this problem is to treat it like alcohol and tobacco.” The call can lead to addiction counseling and other services. People caught with less than a 10-day supply of any drug are usually sent to a local commission, consisting of a doctor, lawyer and social worker, where they learn about treatment and available medical services. This is why the Government of Canada treats substance use as a health issue, not a criminal one,” tweeted Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada’s chief public health officer. He said one week it was his own family member. In 2020, Oregon voted to become the first U.S. state to decriminalize hard drugs.