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O Canada...

The Tradition

HR King
Apr 23, 2002
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Canada will temporarily decriminalize the possession of some illegal drugs like cocaine, MDMA and opioids for personal use by adults in British Columbia (B.C.) to help tackle a burgeoning drug abuse problem in the province, the government said on Tuesday.

The substances would remain illegal, but adults found in possession of up to 2.5 grams of the illicit substances will no longer be arrested, charged or have their drugs seized, according to an official statement.

B.C., Canada’s westernmost province and the epicenter of the country’s overdose crisis, had requested the federal government for such an exemption in November.

The exemption, a first in Canada, is intended to reduce the stigma associated with substance use and make it easier for people to approach law enforcement and other authorities to seek guidance.

“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,” said federal Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Carolyn Bennett.

The exemption will be in effect from Jan. 31, 2023 to Jan. 31, 2026 and police will offer information on available health and social supports instead of punishing those found in possession of small amounts of exempt drugs.

The federal government will work with the province to analyze the exemption and may make real time adjustments if changes are required, Bennett said.

The exemption would not apply to airports, schools and members of the Canadian military.

Over 26,000 people died from opioid-related overdoses roughly between 2016 and 2021 across Canada. Since 2016 in B.C., when the province declared a public health emergency, over 9,400 deaths have been recorded due to overdose.

“Substance use is a public health issue, not a criminal one,” said B.C.’s Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Sheila Malcolmson, adding that the exemption will help the province in fighting the crisis. (Reporting by Ismail Shakil in Ottawa Editing by Chris Reese and Aurora Ellis)

 
I'm not sure how much this really helps.

I tend to think that most of the health and social ills that come from drug use are a result of them being illegal to buy, not illegal to use. I don't think this is going to do much to alleviate the things that ruin an addict's life, namely the exorbitant price, the unreliable supply, the lack of quality control, etc.

It's not going to be easily acceptable, but we need to somehow provide a sanctioned way for people to acquire these drugs not off the black market, as well as receiving treatment to kick their addiction. Drug prohibition has ruined so many lives, and devastated entire neighborhoods and even nations, of people who don't even use drugs at all.
 
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And they've gotten harder on guns.
Really need to look into what it takes to immigrate after retirement.
 
Good for them - let's try something to improve the situation without actual proof that it will work. Maybe it will, maybe it won't. At the very least it will keep adults hurting only themselves out of jail.

In the US, trying something bold is for other countries. We prefer to stand on the sidelines and blame people.
 
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And they've gotten harder on guns.
Really need to look into what it takes to immigrate after retirement.
You want to live in a place that is ok with, or even promotes, you watering down you intellectual capabilities and removes your ability to provide for and protect yourself......




You seem like a real alpha.
 
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