A Canadian province has decriminalised the possession of small amounts of cocaine, heroin, fentanyl and other hard drugs, attempting to radically shift drug policy amid an opioid overdose crisis killing thousands in Canada.

Decriminalisation has the potential to reduce overdose deaths, decrease the burden on the criminal justice system and increase access to treatment and support services for people who use drugs.

Currently, people who use drugs are often criminalised and incarcerated, which does little to address the root causes of their drug use and can actually make their situation worse. Decriminalisation would allow people to access the support and treatment they need without the fear of being arrested or incarcerated.

“the situation has never been more urgent”.

Following the decision, which was taken last Tuesday, Canadian Addictions Minister Carolyn Bennett addressed a news conference highlighting how “the situation has never been more urgent”.

“The effects of this public health crisis have devastated communities across British Columbia and across Canada,” Bennett stated, with the figure for nationwide fatalities surpassing 30,000.

Despite these potential benefits, the decriminalisation of hard drugs remains a controversial issue and is opposed by some who argue that it would send the wrong message and increase drug use.

However, there is evidence from countries like Portugal, which have already decriminalised drug use, that shows that this is not the case. In fact, Portugal has seen a decrease in drug use and an increase in access to treatment since the decriminalisation of all drugs in 2001.

#MaltaDaily