MPs informed that drug decriminalization has resulted in more negative consequences than positives
Senior-level police officials in British Columbia reported to a House of Commons Committee that drug decriminalisation has not resulted in more positive outcomes, despite a decrease in drug possession arrests, as overdose deaths have not gone down.
During a session on April 15, the Standing Committee on Health listened to testimonies from police and medical experts regarding the opioid crisis across Canada. Discussions also focused on health-oriented strategies like decriminalising the possession of small amounts of illicit drugs in B.C.
Testifying before the committee were several senior police members, including RCMP Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald and Vancouver Police Department Chief Fiona Wilson. When queried by Bloc Québécois MP Luc Thériault about the impact of drug decriminalisation in B.C., both McDonald and Wilson expressed concerns.
Deputy Commissioner McDonald acknowledged some positive aspects of decriminalisation, such as diverting individuals from the criminal justice system. However, he highlighted challenges with public consumption and associated criminal behavior, noting that overdose deaths and overall overdoses have not decreased since decriminalisation.
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Deputy Commissioner McDonald raised concerns about identifying safe supply drugs, as many are diverted into the criminal market without proper packaging. He mentioned criminal seizures of safe supply drugs in areas like Campbell River and Prince George.
Chief Fiona Wilson highlighted the increasing toxicity of street drugs, attributing it to the widespread usage of fentanyl, which she stated accounted for 85% of overdose deaths in the province over the past decade.
In her opening statement, Deputy Chief Wilson mentioned that since the public health emergency was declared in April 2016, around 14,000 people have died from accidental overdose.
The overdose crisis in Vancouver’s downtown eastside is notably severe, surpassing the provincial average by more than 12 times, as per Ms. Wilson.
Mentioning her role as the president of the British Columbia Association of Chiefs of Police, Wilson emphasized the association’s initial concerns about potential consequences of decriminalisation, such as impaired driving and public consumption.
She pointed out instances of problematic drug use in public spaces like parks, beaches, and public transit, affecting small businesses and customer access negatively.
Concerns about illicit drug use in B.C. hospitals rose after a memo leaked, instructing staff not to confiscate weapons or illegal drugs from patients in the Northern Health region.
The group, along with another organization, received $1.2 million from the B.C. government, allegedly spent on illegal drugs distributed to clients.
Dr. Nathaniel Day from Alberta Health Services detailed efforts in his province to combat the overdose crisis, providing rural communities access to virtual healthcare.
Highlighting the effectiveness of virtual services in Alberta, Dr. Day mentioned the program reaching hundreds of communities, prescribing medications promptly, and offering aid to those at risk of withdrawal.
During the committee hearing, all panelists agreed on the necessity of a health-oriented approach to address the ongoing overdose crisis.
