British Columbia begins a three-year drug decriminalization experiment on Tuesday.
• Also read: Fentanyl: British Columbia decriminalized, followed by Quebec “with interest”.
• Also read: Drug Decriminalization: Montreal Public Health for it
• Also read: Possession of illegal drugs is decriminalized in British Columbia
The aim of the study is to reduce shame and stigma associated with drug use, which the province said prevents people from accessing essential services.
Nearly 11,000 people have been killed by drugs in British Columbia since 2016, Global News reported.
“The drugs covered by this exemption remain illegal,” the province said in a statement. “The sale (or trafficking) of controlled substances remains illegal under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, regardless of the amount. »
“Every day we lose lives to overdoses from the increasingly toxic illicit drug supply. We are determined to end this tragic epidemic by taking bold action and making significant policy changes,” said Carolyn Bennett, federal secretary of mental health and addictions and assistant secretary of health.
“The data clearly shows that First Nations people continue to be disproportionately affected by the poison drug crisis in British Columbia,” said Dr. Nel Wieman, Acting Chief Medical Officer of the First Nations Board of Health.
This can be explained by the fact that First Nations people are victims of stereotypes, racism and discrimination in many areas, especially in the health and justice sectors.
“Decriminalization will help reduce the stigma and shame associated with drug use and reduce the negative impact of criminal charges, which is especially important for First Nations people, who are over-represented in the criminal justice system,” he added.