Drug user advocates are raising concerns over British Columbia's request for Health Canada to give police power to step in when they see illicit drug use in public spaces, saying it may be a step backward in the fight against the deadly opioid crisis. Andrew Leavens, front left, and Carl Gladue, front right, carry an empty coffin during a march organized by the Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users (VANDU) to mark International Overdose Awareness Day, in Vancouver, B.C., Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS
In Vancouver, concerns are mounting among advocates for drug users regarding British Columbia's recent request to Health Canada. The proposal seeks to grant police authority to intervene when they observe illicit drug use in public areas, a move criticized as potentially regressive in the ongoing battle against the deadly opioid crisis.
Brittany Graham, the executive director of the Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users, expressed dismay over the proposed change. She emphasized that, although the specifics of the proposal are yet to be seen, it appears to primarily impact homeless individuals living in poverty, essentially subjecting them to renewed criminalization amidst an overdose crisis that has claimed the lives of thousands. Graham underscored broader societal issues like homelessness and poverty that demand attention instead.
The controversy stems from B.C.'s recent efforts to enact a three-year decriminalization pilot project initiated on Jan. 31, 2023. This pilot aimed to exempt individuals possessing small quantities of opioids from criminal charges, covering substances like heroin, fentanyl, cocaine, methamphetamine, and MDMA in amounts of 2.5 grams or less. However, the provincial government now seeks to amend this policy urgently to curb public drug use.
Criticism against B.C.'s decriminalization policy has been persistent from various quarters, including politicians, healthcare professionals, and law enforcement, citing concerns over open drug use in public spaces. Previous attempts by the province to outlaw public drug use were thwarted by legal challenges, with Chief Justice Christopher Hinkson warning of potential harm from such laws.
Premier David Eby disclosed that the province has formally requested Health Canada to amend its exemption under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. This amendment would empower police to intervene in instances of public drug use, extending to places like hospitals, transit, and parks. However, this move has drawn sharp rebuke from Corey Ranger, president of the Harm Reduction Nurses Association, who decried it as unethical and circumventing judicial orders.
Ranger highlighted the lack of transparency and consultation with affected communities, accusing the government of prioritizing political gains over practical solutions. He stressed the need for constructive engagement to address the underlying issues, such as housing and mental health support, rather than resorting to punitive measures.
Despite assurances that police intervention would be reserved for exceptional circumstances, concerns persist among harm reduction experts like Guy Felicella. While acknowledging the need for regulations on public drug consumption, Felicella emphasized the importance of clarity regarding police discretion. Drawing from his personal experience of addiction and recovery, he emphasized the pivotal role of harm reduction services in his journey towards sobriety.
Felicella emphasized the vital role of harm reduction services in his recovery journey and urged for broader municipal support to provide viable alternatives for drug users. He stressed the importance of offering comprehensive care and support to break the cycle of addiction and incarceration, advocating for a continuum of services ranging from harm reduction to recovery support.
