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British Columbia’s Psychological Well being and Addictions Minister Jennifer Whiteside says ending the province’s three-year drug decriminalization mission gained’t save “a single life,” because the overdose loss of life toll continues to rise.
Whiteside says in a press release marking the one-year anniversary of the beginning of the mission that its objective is to scale back disgrace and make addicted individuals extra comfy reaching out for assist.
On Jan. 31 final 12 months, Well being Canada issued B.C. a three-year exemption under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act permitting grownup drug customers to hold as much as 2.5 grams of opioids, cocaine, methamphetamine and ecstasy for private use.
The exemption got here amid an overdose disaster that has claimed virtually 14,000 lives in B.C. since a public well being emergency was declared in April 2016.
Deaths as a result of suspected illicit medicine hit a report 2,511 final 12 months, one thing Whiteside says is “regarding.”
She says poisonous drug deaths are rising throughout the nation and B.C. isn’t any exception.
“Ending this measure won’t save a single life,” Whiteside stated within the assertion.
“Because the toxicity of illicit road medicine continues to extend, extra persons are at critical threat.”
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She stated there was “no single resolution” to the emergency, and the federal government would proceed to make use of “each device accessible to save lots of lives and join individuals to care.”
B.C.’s retiring chief coroner Lisa Lapointe has referred to as for the federal government to introduce the non-prescription protected provide of medication, one thing Premier David Eby rejects.
Eby final week referred to as it a “elementary concern” of disagreement with Lapointe.
Decriminalization has introduced criticism from municipal and opposition politicians, who say it has allowed open drug use in public locations.
The opposition BC United get together says it can instantly finish decriminalization if elected in October, calling it a “failed and reckless” technique.
The provincial authorities moved to make legislative modifications increasing areas the place drug use is prohibited, however a nurses group went to B.C. Supreme Court docket, the place a decide quickly stayed the legislation in December, citing hurt to those that use medicine.
The B.C. authorities is interesting the choice.
READ MORE: B.C. government appealing court’s decision that blocks new law banning public drug use in some areas
Police in B.C. have additionally expressed disappointment within the court docket ruling, whereas supporting decriminalization.
Deputy Chief Const. Fiona Wilson of the Vancouver Police Division, who can also be president of the B.C. Affiliation of Chiefs of Police, stated in a press release issued by Whiteside’s ministry that police leaders “stand dedicated in our want to not criminalize those that use medicine, however to redirect people to alternate pathways of care.”
“This can be a advanced public-health disaster that we should proceed to work collectively to deal with as we all know the overdose disaster continues to devastate communities all through British Columbia,” Wilson stated.
This report by The Canadian Press was first printed Jan. 31, 2024.
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