To fight the opioid crisis, Canada tests decriminalizing possession
NPR Online NewsJUL 2022
British Columbia's decriminalization of public hard drugs use was a justified attempt to stem a deadly and tragic opioid crisis. Though the program may have faced opposition and ultimately failed, it was a step in the right direction toward distigmatizing what should be treated as a health — not criminal — matter.
BC's decriminalization policy failed to meet expectations and faced legal challenges due to understandable concerns over harm to vulnerable populations. Balancing public safety and addiction support requires sensible regulation and additional measures like safer drug supply and designated consumption spaces, not a free-for-all.
There's a 62% chance that at least 62 countries will, at least in some form, decriminalize possession of all Schedule I drugs for personal use by 2070, according to the Metaculus prediction community.