MPs Told Drug Decriminalisation Has Not Had More Positive Than Negative Consequences

Drug decriminalisation has not had more positive than negative outcomes in British Columbia, senior-level police told a House of Commons Committee, noting that while arrests for drug possession have decreased, overdose deaths have not declined. The Standing Committee on Health heard from police and medical experts on April 15 regarding both the ongoing opioid crisis affecting parts of Canada and health-focused strategies to deal with drug addiction and overdose, such as the decriminalisation of the possession of small amounts of illicit drugs in B.C. Several senior police officials testified before the committee, including RCMP Deputy Commissioner Dwayne McDonald and Department Chief of the Vancouver Police Fiona Wilson....