Friday April 26, 2024 | VANCOUVER, BC [Posted at 11:05 am / Updated 2:25 pm] | Click here for 1:15 pm news announcement
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
Today Premier David Eby will address media about public drug use in BC.
The media session will be at 1:15 pm, from the cabinet office in Vancouver. Click here for 1:15 pm news announcement & news release
The use of drugs — particularly small amounts of decriminalized illicit drugs — has been happening in parks, playgrounds and beach areas since decriminalization came into effect.
The use of substances by inhalation has been happening in hospitals and other health settings which has been causing distress and likely health impacts for workers and other patients.
All of this has caused political heat for Eby and the NDP in recent weeks.
In this provincial election year the use of drugs in public spaces is an issue that is bringing pressures to bear from the Official Opposition (BC United) and other political and health system advocates.
Seeking federal approval:
BC has been asking Ottawa for decriminalization exemptions to ban drug use in all public places, and to provide enforcement by police against use in parks, hospitals, beaches, restaurants and more.
Evidently this could undermine the two main principles of having decriminalization in the first place: not seizing drugs from people (which likely leads them into risky behaviours to support their addictions) and not forcing these drug users into in private where there’s no help if an overdose happens.
BC’s three-year exemption under section 56(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act to decriminalize people who use drugs was first requested on November 1, 2021 and enacted on January 31, 2023.
