BC becomes first NA jurisdiction to decriminalize fentanyl, heroin, meth, cocaine, and MDMA

[CitizenVectron]

B.C. to decriminalize possession of small amounts of ‘hard’ drugs such as cocaine, fentanyl and heroin

WWW.THEGLOBEANDMAIL.COM

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The decriminalization of small amounts of illicit substances – such as illicit fentanyl, heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine – in B.C. is made possible by an exemption from federal drug law. It will take effect Jan. 31, 2023

 

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Effective Jan. 31, 2023, British Columbians 18 and older will be able to carry up to a cumulative total of 2.5 grams of these illicit substances without the risk of arrest or criminal charges. Police are not to confiscate the drugs, and there is no requirement that people found to be in possession seek treatment. The production, trafficking and exportation of these drugs will remain illegal.

 

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The change comes six years after B.C. declared a public health emergency in response to skyrocketing overdose deaths from an increasingly volatile drug supply. Close to 10,000 people have died since 2016 in B.C. alone, and advocates have put pressure on governments to re-examine drug laws that they say were intended to minimize harms but have had the opposite effect.

 

A positive development, one that I hope expands to the rest of Canada (but is unlikely to in any place with a conservative government).

[TyphoidHater]

Not a fan of fentynal decriminalization at all......that shit can GTFO

 

Edit-

 

2.5 grams of fentynal is 1,250x the average lethal dose, that shit is insane

 

 

 

[Uaarkson]

1 hour ago, TyphoidHater said:

Not a fan of fentynal decriminalization at all......that shit can GTFO

This decriminalizes possession up to 2.5 grams, not sale-manufacture. I agree that these kinds of drugs are harmful to society and that their sale and production should be banned. But do we really need to jail every poor addict that gets caught copping? In the 21st century? Of course not.

[Anathema-]

1 hour ago, Uaarkson said:

This decriminalizes possession up to 2.5 grams, not sale-manufacture.

It decriminalizes calling 911 for an OD, effectively.

[Guest]

No use or personal possession amounts should ever be illegal for any drug. We know the supply side creates addiction, and all the other negative things that come along with it. That is who to move on if you’re going to do something about harder drugs.

[Uaarkson]

17 minutes ago, Anathema- said:

It decriminalizes calling 911 for an OD, effectively.

Which is good! People should never have to fear for their freedom over saving someone’s life.

[SoberChef]

 

 

To be entirely fair & honest, with all things considered, criminalizing users has not worked. Need new & fresh tactics to HELP to the best of our ability in lieu of incarceration & integration into the system. It's a bold move for sure but people will use regardless, so let's be more open minded in how to aid & provide places wherein its more or less "safer" than the streets?

[unogueen]

This isn't that new. What this Iteration needs is a robust social engine to fish those out who are ready. And no one can say when that is. That means commitment.