Ottawa approves B.C.’s ask for public drug use ban in decriminalization pilot

The federal government is granting B.C.‘s request to once again ban the public use of illicit drugs, Mental Health and Addictions Minister Ya’ara Saks said on Parliament Hill on Tuesday.

“This is a health crisis, not a criminal one. That being said, communities need to be safe,” Saks said.

“People need to have confidence that in their own communities they can move about freely and feel comfortable and engaged. But we also want to make sure that those who are using drugs also have safety and have health care services to support them so that we can save lives.”

B.C. currently has a three-year Criminal Code exemption for personal possession of drugs like heroin, cocaine and methamphetamines – up to 2.5 grams – as well as public use.

The goal has been to remove potential barriers from people seeking help by removing the fear of prosecution.

Saks said that this is a first of its kind pilot that is being run with B.C., so flexibility is essential in responding to issues that arise.

“There are a lot of lessons to be learned. What we know is health supports need to be readily available in a timely manner for those who are seeking help and when they’re using substances. That being said, B.C. has committed and continues to grow and scale out their health services, and we’re supportive,” Saks said.

Prior to Saks’ announcement, Health Minister Mark Holland said the government took time to make a decision due to not wanting to make a choice that does “more harm than good.”

“This is a topic where all of us are just so saddened and heavy with the loss, and a lot of times when you’re in that state you almost get dysregulated and you want to act for the sake of acting because what’s happening is so painful,” Holland said on his way out of the weekly cabinet meeting.

“But if you’re not deliberative and you’re not careful, the action you take could end up doing more harm than good. So we have to be very careful when we take these actions that they’re rooted in evidence, they’re rooted in science and they’re going to make a difference that’s positive.”

Holland said the government is looking at ways to better treat people deeply struggling with addiction, keep communities safe while addressing the drug crisis and ways to support people before treatment because “you can’t treat someone who’s no longer living.”