BC requested the decriminalization of opioids
British Columbia’s provincial government requested Ottawa an exemption for the adults in British Columbia from the criminal code for the possession and personal use of 4.5 grams of opioids, including cocaine, methamphetamine, and Methylenedioxymethamphetamine {MDMA}. The exemption is supposed to be in effect from January 1. 2023 to January 31. 2026 as a trial period, during that adults, will no longer be arrested, charged, or have their drugs seized to an official statement.
Photo source: therecoveryvillage.com
Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Carolyn Bennett said:” Eliminating criminal penalties for those carrying small amounts of illicit drugs for personal use will reduce stigma and harm and provide another tool for British Columbia to end the overdose crisis.” Bennett continued that the federal government will work with the province to analyze the exemption and may make real adjustments if changes are required. We are doing this to save lives, but also to give people using drugs their dignity and choices.“
Provincial Health Officer Bonnie Henry said that she hopes Ottawa looks at the application “favorably and quickly.” She says: “ This is the first and the best option, and I’m very supportive of the fact that they put this application in.”
Officials took this step after figures were released in September from the B.C. Coroners Service show there were 1,204 drug toxicity deaths between January and July 2021, so 28 percent more than in 2020. Since 2016 BC recorded 9,400 deaths due the overdose in total.
Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe said that years of criminalizing drug users have failed to end the crisis and the province needs to shift to health – focused approach. She says:” Criminalizing people using drugs has meant punishing those that are already suffering. The goal of decriminalization is to reduce suffering and death. It is a compassionate and rational response to a health crisis.“
Cocaine and methamphetamine are highly addictive drugs, MDMA is commonly known as ecstasy or molly, and addiction liability is moderate. The chronic use of these opioids cost damage to the central nervous system and the collapse of all immunity and overdose costs in most scenarios death.
Source: wikipedia.org
Before the year 2020, B.C. had seen a decrease in deaths due to toxic drugs, but “pandemic” rules and restrictions, created by Provincial and Federal officials reversed that trend and are causing that drug death to reach an all-time high. Looks like damage to Canadian society by the ordered lockdowns, restrictions, and “vaccination” mandate started showing the real impact on Canada and Canadians.
– DB
