Canada has decriminalized possession of small amounts in British Columbia, as a policy shift to reduce overdose deaths.
Overdose deaths in Canada have increased sharply over the past five year, with opioid-related death linked to Fentanyl increasing more than doubling.
British Columbia was the province hardest hit.
The three-year-old experimental policy will be in effect from January 2023.
Sheila Malcolmson (Minister of Mental Health and Addictions in British Columbia) says that the move will place the emphasis on health care.
She stated in a statement that “by decriminalizing drug use, we will break down stigma that prevents people accessing life-saving services and support.”
Canada has implemented a variety of health-focused programs to address its overdose epidemic. These include supervised injection sites, testing for drugs like fentanyl, and making heroin prescriptions for people who have not had success with other treatment options.
According to the most recent data, overdose deaths rose sharply at the beginning of the pandemic. They remained high until 2021.
British Columbia’s policy change will affect anyone aged 18 or older who is in possession of 2.5 grams of illegal drugs.
“We are granting the exemption because our government is committed in using all available instruments that reduce stigma and substance use harms and continuing to work closely with jurisdictions to save lives, end this crisis,” stated Carolyn Bennett, Canada’s federal minister of mental and addictions.
The state of Oregon in the United States approved a similar policy in 2020. It decriminalized personal use of most illegal drugs. The federal government did not approve the change.
