Federal drug policy is ultimately headed towards the decriminalization of illegal narcotics, a Liberal MP told the House of Commons health committee..Two cabinet ministers attending the committee did not contradict the remarks by MP Dr. Brendan Hanley (Yukon), according to Blacklock's Reporter..“I think there’s been some recent confusion regarding politicization of the approaches to addressing the toxic drug crisis which we know requires an array of responses along a spectrum from prevention, health promotion, harm reduction, access to clinical treatment services,” said Hanley, former Yukon medical officer of health..“May I mention legislative action, such as we’ve accomplished with Bill C-5, which addresses unfair mandatory minimum policies and modernizing drug policy including ultimately decriminalization of personal possession of illegal drugs,” said Hanley..“How much should we rely on values alone versus evidence in determining drug policy?” asked Hanley..“I think you know the answer,” replied Addictions Minister Carolyn Bennett..Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos, who attended the hearing, remained silent. Bennett also did not contradict MP Hanley’s claim..Effective January 1, Bennett is repealing a 111-year criminal ban on personal possession of up to 2.5 grams of cocaine, opioids, ecstasy and methamphetamine in British Columbia..“This is not legalization,” Bennett told reporters last May 31..The British Columbia cabinet on Nov. 1, 2021 formally applied for the exemption under the Controlled Drugs And Substances Act. The decriminalization in BC is the first exemption of its kind since Parliament criminalized cocaine, opium and morphine in 1922..Bennett yesterday said the federal government's drug policy is drawn from science..“This has to be evidence based,” said Bennett. “I think we have suffered through 10 years of an ideological approach,” a reference to the previous Conservative cabinet that did not decriminalize narcotics..A federal Expert Task Force on Substance Use in a 2021 report said simple possession of narcotics like cocaine and heroin should be decriminalized nationwide..“Penalties of any kind for the simple possession and use of substances are harmful to Canadians,” said the report..“Canada’s current policies are based on an outdated and deeply problematic position which the Task Force members reject that devalues and dehumanizes people who use drugs by labeling them as immoral, ‘addicts’ or weak,” said the report..“Furthermore, by criminalizing simple possession, Canada’s Controlled Drugs And Substances Act increases the stigma by labeling people who use drugs as criminals.”.The 17-member task force that issued the report included the chief of police in Abbotsford, BC, the chair of the Buildings Trades Unions, a former Crown prosecutor and four university professors.
