Decriminalization pilot concludes as BC shifts focus to treatment and safety

B.C.’s Health Minister Josie Osborne announced Tuesday that the province will not be extending its drug decriminalization pilot, saying bluntly that it has not met government’s expectations.

“The toxic-drug crisis continues to take lives and cause tremendous pain across British Columbia. Families, communities, first responders and service providers are all feeling the impact. This is a deeply complex public-health emergency, and there is no single solution that can fix it,” Osborne said in a statement regarding the status of the decriminalization pilot program. “From the beginning, we have been determined to explore every option and use every tool available to save lives and support people who are struggling.”

When it was introduced in 2023, many police, MLAs and service providers bought into B.C.’s drug decriminalization pilot. Advocates for decriminalization were hopeful the move would encourage people who use drugs not to fear and stigmatize accessing care. Osborne said despite "good will and hard work" surrounding the pilot, it hasn't met expectations set by the province so they will not seek renewal of the federal exemption.

She added the province will continue to work on building a comprehensive mental-health and addictions-care system focused on prevention, treatment and recovery, harm reduction and after-care. That includes new treatment and recovery beds; substantial reductions to waiting times for withdrawal management and various measures that experts say have prevented tens of thousands of overdose deaths, such as Take-Home Naloxone and overdose prevention sites.

Osborne also stated the province will continue to support police efforts aimed at those involved in the production and trafficking of toxic drugs, and those who bring crime, violence and suffering to our communities.

“The BC RCMP acknowledges that substance use is a health issue. With the end of the exemption, police officers can fully enforce and focus on the most serious offences within the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. Police will continue to apply a measured approach to our enforcement efforts, while upholding the safety and security of the communities we live and serve in,” said Dwayne McDonald, deputy commissioner and commanding officer, BC RCMP. “We also remain committed to working with our partners to find solutions that ensure those with mental-health and addiction issues receive immediate and ongoing assistance.”

Osborne stated not renewing the pilot is not an endpoint to the province’s efforts, and says the government is continuing its work around enhancing the response it has to ensure people have access to care when they need it.Osborne reiterated that individuals living with addiction are our friends, family and neighbours. She said response efforts need to continue to evolve as the toxic-drug crisis does, and noted the government wants to continue learning from what’s underway, evolve its approach and find new ways to reduce harm and ensure people have access to care without judgement.