BC Drug Decriminalization

• First Oregon, now B.C.: Why drug decriminalization faces renewed questions

  Drug addiction researchers and advocates for a comprehensive, health-based approach say decriminalization needs time to work, and only with connected supports.

  Health

  May 20, 2024
  
• Drug use in B.C.’s hospitals sparks feisty debate in the legislature

  The Official Opposition, B.C. United, called out the government over a string of stories about illegal drug use in hospitals, with users allowed to leave their beds.

  Politics

  Apr 11, 2024
  
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• Interior mayors calling on B.C. to push ahead with ban of illegal drugs in public places

  Mayors of nine Southern Interior cities and towns are calling on the province to continue in its efforts to ban illegal drug use in many public settings.

  Health

  Feb 1, 2024
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• Communities should be able to make own bylaws against hard drug use: BC United party

  B.C. has embarked on a three-year experiment with the decriminalization of small quantities of certain illegal drugs without criminal penalty.

  Politics

  Apr 21, 2023
• Pushback on Interior Health suggestion to delay ‘safe spaces’ bylaws  

  Interior Health Authority says communities eyeing new bylaws should wait for six months before potentially implementing them.

  Canada

  Apr 21, 2023
• Kelowna, B.C. mayor calls for playgrounds to be exempt from drug decriminalization

  The provincial Ministry of Mental Health and Addiction said it is working "to support municipalities in adopting a public health approach to substance use."

  Canada

  Mar 28, 2023
• Calls for more action and concerns about service gaps – Okanagan reacts to drug decriminalization

  On the eve of drug decriminalization in B.C., there was a range of reactions in the Okanagan to the historic policy change.

  Canada

  Jan 30, 2023
• B.C.’s 3-year experiment with drug decriminalization starts Tuesday

  Starting Tuesday, adults with up to two-and-a-half grams of drugs for personal use, including opioids, cocaine and MDMA, will not be arrested or charged.

  Health

  Jan 30, 2023
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• Okanagan reaction to B.C. drug decriminalization mixed

  The federal government formally handed B.C. an exemption under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act on Tuesday.

  Canada

  May 31, 2022
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• Health Canada mulling B.C.’s drug decriminalization request but with lower threshold: minister

  B.C.'s request calls for a person to be allowed to carry up to 4.5 grams of illicit drugs, but the federal government is allegedly mulling a 2.5-gram cumulative threshold.

  Health

  Apr 6, 2022