The Victoria Police Division says it helps the choice of the federal and provincial governments to decriminalize the possession of as much as two and a half grams of illicit medication, together with fentanyl, cocaine, heroin, MDMA and methamphetamine, in British Columbia.
Victoria police Chief Del Manak mentioned in an announcement following the announcement Tuesday that the transfer will "scale back stigmatization, direct people to a pathway of well being, and keep away from the criminalization of individuals who use medication."
The three-year exemption will take impact on Jan. 31 and can apply to individuals 18 and over.
Carolyn Bennett, the federal minister of psychological well being and addictions, mentioned the exemption is a big coverage change and step one in much-needed daring motion to sluggish the overdose disaster.
"This isn't legalization. We've not taken this resolution evenly," she mentioned.
"And with it comes nice accountability for the well being, security and well-being of the individuals of British Columbia and is a template for different jurisdictions throughout Canada."
The allowable quantity of unlawful substances falls wanting the 4 and a half grams requested by B.C., which was already deemed too low by some drug-user teams which have criticized the province for failing to adequately seek the advice of them.
"For years, VicPD has taken the view that habit and substance use is a health-care challenge, not a prison justice challenge," the Victoria police chief mentioned.
"On the identical time, VicPD will proceed enforcement efforts in opposition to those that import, produce and distribute illicit medication, particularly fentanyl," Manak added. "Decriminalizing medication alone won't clear up the overdose epidemic that continues to assert too many lives throughout our province."
B.C. will change into the primary jurisdiction in Canada to carry prohibitions on possession of small quantities of so-called exhausting medication.
The province submitted an software to the federal authorities in November, asking for an exemption to the drug legal guidelines as a part of a public well being method to the overdose disaster, which has killed practically 10,000 individuals since an overdose emergency was declared in 2016.
"Ending the overdose epidemic requires an built-in method, which incorporates continued public funding for higher entry to remedy, public training and consciousness campaigns, and legislative adjustments," Manak mentioned. "We should work collectively to seek out higher pathways to care, help, remedy and restoration.
B.C. provincial well being officer Dr. Bonnie Henry mentioned the exemption is an important step to holding individuals alive and serving to them hook up with the well being and social helps they want.
"By eradicating the worry and disgrace of drug use, we will take away obstacles that forestall individuals from accessing hurt discount providers and remedy applications," Henry mentioned in an announcement.
With information from The Canadian Press
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