The announcement that the possession of small amounts of some hard drugs will be decriminalized in BC was received by the defenders there as a key victory, but it is receiving a more cautious reception from a mayor of some provinces in the ‘East.
In an interview with Rosemary Barton Live on Sunday, Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark acknowledged the need to address the crisis of toxic drug overdoses across the country, including in his own city, and he said the BC case could be “a step that could help us. learn to do it differently.”
Clark told CBC’s chief political correspondent Rosemary Barton that all levels of BC government were committed to the decriminalization strategy, which was not the case in Saskatchewan. The provincial government has said it will not follow BC’s example. Saskatoon and Regina police councils are studying the matter.
“We don’t have the same alignment between the municipal police and the provincial governments that we see in British Columbia, so in Saskatchewan I think what we need to do is continue to understand in our province what is the best way to deal with it. [is]”He said.
TARGET | The mayor of Saskatoon and the mother of BC discuss the possibility of decriminalizing drug possession:
BC Mayor of Saskatoon discusses decriminalization of drug possession
Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark talks with CBC Chief Political Correspondent Rosemary Barton about the possibility of an exemption to decriminalize small amounts of some hard drugs in BC being extended to other parts of Canada, while BC mother Kathleen Radu, who lost her son to a poisoner. drug overdose: talk about what this could accomplish.
Clark also said few possession charges were proceeding with convictions, but that Saskatoon has no crucial diversion and treatment programs.
He described a record number of deaths from toxic overdose and the increasing use of anti-overdose drugs by leading officials in his city, a sign of a worsening of the toxic drug problem that is largely present. of the country. His city also focused on supportive housing and other programs to help address the crisis.
“We know that only an exemption, just decriminalization without these avenues and supports, can also create a risk.”
Decriminalization only part of the solution: BC mother
In BC, where personal possession of up to 2.5 grams of accumulated opioids, cocaine, methamphetamine and MDMA will be decriminalized from January 31 next year, the number of alleged toxic drug overdoses reached all-time highs. last year, with more than 2,200 dead.
Kathleen Radu lost her son due to an overdose of toxic drugs. He told Barton that the exemption granted by the federal government to BC that allows decriminalization does not go far enough.
“I think it’s just a wall in the house that we need to build against this crisis,” Radu said. “Basically, this exemption has put a band-aid on a bullet hole.”
TARGET | BC federal governments announce small-scale drug decriminalization in the province:
Small-scale possession of illicit drugs will be decriminalized in BC from next year
Federal Minister for Mental Health and Addictions Carolyn Bennett and her provincial counterpart Sheila Malcolmson have announced that adults in British Columbia will be able to have small amounts of some illicit drugs from next year, a movement that marks a dramatic change in Canada’s drug policy.
Radu denounced the decision of the federal government, with the support of Conservative MPs, to vote against Bill C-216, a private member bill introduced by NPD MP Gord Johns that would have decriminalized drug possession in the whole country.
“This is a health crisis and toxic drugs will not go away,” he said. “And in any case, it will get worse. We have already buried too many children. Too many family lives have been broken to stop them now.”
Speaking in the House of Commons on Wednesday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the government was open to “working with any other jurisdiction that wants to take this responsible approach.”
LISTENING | NDP MP Gord Johns on his efforts to decriminalize drug possession across the country:
CBC News: The House9:02 Will drug decriminalization stop in the Rockies?
NPD MP Gord Johns talks about his proposed legislation to decriminalize drug possession across Canada, which was defeated a day after the federal government announced a limited decriminalization in BC.
Johns, who represents the Courtenay — Alberni constituency of British Columbia, told CBC host Chris Hall that the government had not taken a national approach to dealing with a national crisis.
“Incrementalism kills when it comes to the toxic drug crisis, and we need the government to respond quickly,” he said in an interview on Saturday.
Johns noted that 14 Liberal MPs had defected from the government to vote in favor of his bill and accused the government of holding back to maintain political favor.
“It’s extremely disappointing, given the huge amount of loss of life they don’t want to hear from experts. That’s not a vote-winner. And that’s really what’s coming down. Politics is killing people.”
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