Cocaine, heroin or MDMA – starting next year, these drugs can be possessed in small quantities in the Canadian province of British Columbia – without having to fear legal consequences. They want to “save lives”.
The Canadian province of British Columbia is allowed to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of “hard” drugs such as MDMA, heroin and cocaine. “We are doing this to save lives, but also to help people who use drugs regain their dignity and the right to choose,” said Secretary of State for Mental Health and Dependencies Carolyn Bennett on Tuesday. Other provinces could follow.
From January 31, 2023, adults may carry up to 2.5 grams of drugs for personal use for a limited period of three years. They should also receive more information about access to medical help for addiction problems.
Health emergency after drug epidemic
According to the minister, “ideological resistance” when dealing with drugs costs lives. Accordingly, it is primarily a health problem, criminalization does not help. At the same time, Bennett emphasized that impunity does not mean “legalizing” hard drugs. “We did not take this decision lightly.”
In 2021, more than 2,200 opiate-related deaths were counted in the province of British Columbia in western Canada. The province had even declared a health emergency because of the drug epidemic. At the end of last year, the provincial government applied to the federal government in Ottawa for the decriminalization of small quantities of hard drugs.
Vancouver Mayor Kennedy Stewart called the agreement between the province and the Canadian government “a historic, bold and revolutionary step” in this public health fight. Other metros like Toronto and Montreal are considering following suit. Before British Columbia, the US state of Oregon became the first region in North America to legalize the possession of hard drugs for personal use in 2020.
Source: Stern
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