Canada OKs drug decriminalization test in British Columbia
Dana Larsen, a drug policy reform activist, called the announcement “a step in the right direction,” but said he would prefer to see development of a safe drug supply. “The drugs are still going to be contaminated,” Larsen said. “I think we need stores where you can go in and find legal heroin, legal cocaine and legal ecstasy and things like that for adults. The real solution to this problem is to treat it like alcohol and tobacco.”
Alissa Greer, an assistant professor at Simon Fraser University, doctorate in public health, said it would be good for users to be able to obtain drugs from “a regulated supply through various models, whether that’s a prescription model, a pharmacy model, more of a compassion club model…” Canada’s government said… it will allow British Columbia to try a three-year experiment in decriminalizing possession of small amounts of drugs, seeking to stem a record number of overdose deaths by easing fear of arrest by users in need of help. The policy approved by federal officials doesn’t legalize the substances, but Canadians in the Pacific coast province who possess up to 2.5 grams of illicit drugs for personal use will not be arrested or charged. The three-year exemption taking effect Jan. 31 (2023) will apply to drug users 18 and over and include opioids, cocaine, methamphetamine and MDMA, also known as ecstasy…18 years of age and older will be able to possess up to a cumulative 2.5 grams of opioids, cocaine, methamphetamine and MDMA…
Original Article (ABC & Spectrum News & CBC):
Canada OKs drug decriminalization test in British Columbia & Canada OKs drug decriminalization & Small-scale possession of illicit drugs will be decriminalized in B.C. starting next year: Ottawa
Artwork Fair Use: Adam Jones
