The federal government in Canada recently rejected Toronto’s request to decriminalize the possession of small quantities of drugs for personal use, sparking a debate on the issue. Guy Felicella, a harm reduction and recovery expert in British Columbia, believes that provinces and territories should continue to push for drug decriminalization, despite Ottawa’s decision. He argues that treating substance addictions as a health issue is more effective than the current model of criminalization, which does not address the root causes of drug use and addiction. Felicella emphasizes that incarcerating substance users does not stop them from using drugs and can have negative impacts on their ability to access employment and housing.
The federal government’s decision to reject Toronto’s request suggests that they are viewing drug use through a criminal lens, according to Felicella. He believes that criminalizing the possession of small quantities of drugs leads to isolation and hinders people from seeking help due to fear of consequences such as losing their children, job, friends, or family. Toronto’s medical officer of health, Dr. Eileen de Villa, also supports decriminalization as an evidence-informed policy tool to make it easier for people to seek help. However, the federal government’s decision has prompted a call for investment in other evidence-based interventions in the city.
Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow and Felicella both stress the importance of all levels of government working together to address substance addiction as a health crisis. Both emphasize the need for a treatment program that focuses on rehabilitation rather than solely on the legal aspect. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has expressed disapproval of drug decriminalization policies, accusing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of backtracking on the issue. The province of British Columbia initially began a pilot project to decriminalize hard drugs but later backtracked due to concerns about public safety and an increase in drug-related deaths.
The debate surrounding drug decriminalization in Canada highlights the need for a collaborative approach between all levels of government to address substance addiction effectively. Felicella emphasizes the importance of focusing on rehabilitation rather than incarceration for substance users. He argues that continuing to criminalize drug possession and incarcerate individuals will not lead to positive outcomes and calls for a different approach to address the root causes of drug addiction. Overall, the discussion on drug decriminalization in Canada reveals the complexities and challenges in addressing substance addiction as a public health issue rather than a criminal one.
