Health advocates in Ottawa watching B.C. drug decriminalization closely
British Columbia is taking a new approach to address the opioid crisis by decriminalizing small amounts of certain illicit drugs for personal use.
As part of a first-in-Canada pilot project, people aged 18 and older can legally possess a combined 2.5 grams of illegal drugs, including opioids, cocaine, methamphetamine and MDMA.
Last May, the federal government granted B.C. an exemption from the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. Under it, adults will no longer be arrested, criminally charged or have their drugs seized if they're found carrying a small amount for personal use. B.C. had originally requested a threshold of 4.5 grams, but the federal government said it decided on a lower amount after speaking with law enforcement agencies.
Health advocates in Ottawa say they're watching the move closely.
"I think that decriminalization is the right move," said Rob Boyd, CEO of Ottawa Inner City Health.
"I think that it should have been done a long time ago, but we really need to look seriously at our overall drug policy in Canada. But if you’re looking for some immediate impacts, in terms of what’s happening on the streets here in Ottawa, you really need to look at access to legalized, regulated drugs for people who are in need of them."
According to Ottawa Inner City Health, there were 77 drug toxicity deaths in the first six months of 2022. There were 149 deaths in all of 2021, the highest ever recorded and double the pre-pandemic number.
"We have a number of outreach teams who are out on the streets every day, and the word they're using is 'overwhelming,'" says Caroline Cox, the senior manager of harm reduction for the Somerset West Community Health Centre. "The situation was pretty dire before the pandemic, and it’s only gotten worse."
Cox too, says that decriminalization is a step in the right direction, but access to a regulated supply is part of the solution.
"What we currently have, with some safer-supply pilots, is prescription of medical-grade stimulants and opiates," she said. "So, it’s very much safe, regulated, prescribed by a physician at a level that is safe, clinically, for the patient and reduces their dependence on street drugs."
More than 10,000 British Columbians have died from illicit drug overdoses since a public health emergency was first declared in 2016.
In Ottawa, Boyd said there were 127 drug toxicity deaths in 2020 and 65 in 2019.
--With files from CTV News Vancouver
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.