The Canadian province of British Columbia changed its drug policy dramatically in January 2023 in an effort to address its dire opioid crisis. New Democratic Party provincial leaders decriminalized possession and public use of drugs including fentanyl and heroin. But now, after pressure from law enforcement and a backlash from the opposition Conservatives, BC is reversing course, and making public use of drugs illegal again. Personal possession will remain decriminalized, for now.
However, having won an exemption from federal drug laws on a three-year provisional basis, Premier David Eby is still waiting on a review from Health Canada to recriminalize public use. (PRI, CBC)
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British Columbia imposes mandatory drug treatment