Decriminalizing drugs in B.C.: What it could mean for ending opioid crisis, overdoses, drug policy

B.C.’s Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Sheila Malcolmson on the province's decriminalization of illicit drug possession.

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[chrisbrunette]

How in hell does decriminalizing street drugs do anything to help the opioid crisis ? Please explain.. but I’m doubtful it can be explained with any sort of common sense.. 🤷‍♂️🤦‍♂️

[bassbeauty]

Oregon approved this decriminalization a year ago. Drug overdoses since up 540%. Thus is beyond stupid careless disregard for lives.

[chrisministerofsmartarsery]

Canada roughly 250 homicides with a firearm a year = 2 different firearm bans in 2 years
BC roughly 2, 200 overdose deaths = Decriminalizing drugs
🇨🇦

[ErnestPM]

Oregon has seen a massive spike in overdoses 1 year after decriminalizing hard drugs.

[gailflorence]

Even more will be buried now. Wait and see

[Bisonmsc]

In Oregon they saw a 700% increase in overdoses and a massive increase in use and an increase in crime

[sentientmoreorless.]

I drove down East Hastings last week. Looked like a War Zone for 4 blocks.
Drugs are basically legailsed there for a while now.

[Bloodywasher]

So dumb.... every time I argue with someone over this they're either ex addict or addicted. And they quit with methodone and suboxone not because it became decriminalized and more readily accessible.

[markanthony]

Typical Liberal policy...always expect the opposite to happen of the declared intention.

[NJ-jufr]

"I reaaly want drugs."
"They are decriminalized."
"Oh. How weird, my addiction is gone."

[raynus]

Hard time for dealers.
Mandatory confined treatment for addicts.
Enough of the window dressing.

[ikeones]

There too many DUI’s so let’s make it legal to drive drunk probably solved

[earlgreystoke]

How does decriminalizing the possession of dangerous street drugs make them safer & less harmful?

[kingbud]

Consequences are what keep alot of kids from even trying these drugs. If you start taking that away more will try it and more will end up with addictions. Just look at how popular alcohol, cigarettes, weed and vapes are with teenagers these days.

[lucilleclarke]

Bust the dealers make changes in law to jail these murderers

[elivillagran]

You have 245 million to donate for a war that is not yours. Meanwhile we have our own problems to solve. Decriminalizing drugs is not a solution, and if it is what are you doing to cut the source of the problem? Seriously please someone educate me in the matter.

[freezebrain]

With all the deaths from opioids why is the homeless population and drug use increasing so much in BC? The streets of Victoria and Vancouver are overrun by addicts and crime. we have moved our home and our office out from downtown cause of the addicts and mostly cause of the human poop at our doors…clients and staff don’t wanna be downtown anymore, I really hope this can fix it but just don’t see how…dealers are openly selling drugs on every corner right next to police officers.

[blizzardoo]

Shortsighted measure...just wait for the unintended consequences which are sure to come!!

[adohmnail]

The province doesn't want to police or deal with the drug problem: so legalize it. Death rates should continue to soar as the drug deaths far exceed coronavirus for each age group except for 70 plus.

[johnnyb]

I think I am going to open up a Funeral Home in BC. It looks like it will be a booming 10 year investment