Following BC's move to decriminalize personal possession of cocaine, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told reporters more interested cities may follow in BC's footsteps. .Trudeau was asked while speaking to reporters on Wednesday if he would consider decriminalizing personal possession of hard drugs nationally if things go well with BC..He said his government is "following science and data," but said "you don't want to do it without the systems and supports in place." ."And, that's what we're really focused on with BC, to make sure that it wasn't just flipping a switch," said Trudeau. ."That it was actually building up capacity and making sure that there are many many different ways to support people; whether it's safe supply, whether its, you know, measures that surround this decriminalization.".Trudeau said that's why his government made it a priority to "work with a jurisdiction that wanted to do it" adding he has heard other cities, like Toronto and Edmonton, are interested in doing the same. ."We're going to work with them and try to make sure every step of the way that as, and if, we move forward, it is not just a single solution that it is a full wrap-around approach like we're trying to create in BC.".On Tuesday BC announced — with the federal government granting the province an exemption under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act — it was decriminalizing personal possession of up to 2.5 grams of cocaine for the first time in 111 years. .“Today we take the first steps in the much needed bold action,” said Mental Health Minister Dr. Carolyn Bennett, who added, "This is not legalization." .“No longer criminally prohibiting personal possession of small amounts of certain controlled substances is just one tool in a full range of solutions to fight the overdose crisis we are facing.".The exemption takes effect on January 31, 2023 and will last for three years..Since 2014, the BC Coroners Service counted 10,481 drug overdose deaths — typically men in Vancouver over the age of 30. .Due to a high level of spam content being posted in our comment section below, all comments undergo manual approval by a staff member during regular business hours (Monday - Friday). Your patience is appreciated.
