By Alexandra Mehl, Ha-Shilth-Sa, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
On Jan. 31, 2023, the province of British Columbia decriminalized personal possession of some drugs, which would allot for 2.5 grams of opioid (heroin, morphine, and fentanyl), crack and powder cocaine, methamphetamine, and MDMA (ecstasy) for personal use, for a three year period.
Continue reading Municipal governments respond to public drug consumption amid decriminalization project
The Tyee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
B.C.’s three-year pilot drug decriminalization program is aimed at reducing the barriers and stigma that prevent people from accessing life-saving supports and services.
But since the possession of small amounts of drugs was decriminalized on Jan. 31, some municipalities have looked at bans on public drug use that advocates warn undermine the provincial effort.
In Campbell River, the city decided to implement its own bylaws three days before decriminalization took effect, banning and ticketing public use of controlled substances.
Continue reading Will BC Towns’ Bylaws Undermine Drug Decriminalization Pilot?
By Moira Wyton, The Tyee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
People who use drugs are cautiously optimistic about British Columbia’s forthcoming move to decriminalize possession of some drugs, but frontline harm reduction groups across the province say uncertainty about how it will be enforced is hampering their efforts to prepare.
On Jan. 31, B.C. will become the first jurisdiction in Canada to decriminalize possession of small amounts of cocaine, fentanyl, heroin, MDMA and methamphetamine for personal use.
Continue reading It’s the ‘Eve of Decriminalization’ for Drug Possession in BC
CKTZ News, through an LJI grant from Canada-info.ca
Note: This story contains accounts of police violence, racism and hate against Indigenous people that could be triggering. Please listen with care.
Laura Holland, of the Small Frog house, Wet’suwet’en, sets up the hall at Homalco Nation for a memorial on July 7. The day marks a year since her son Jared (“Jay”) Lowdnes was killed by Campbell River RCMP.
Continue reading ‘Justice for Jared:’ Family of Indigenous man killed by RCMP demand justice a year later
