British Columbia recriminalizing drugs in public spaces

Canada’s national health department on Tuesday granted British Columbia’s request to roll back a pilot program that decriminalized possession of some drugs in public places. Heroin, methamphetamine, cocaine, and ecstasy will remain legal to possess and use in private residences and drug rehabilitation clinics, Canada Health said.

Wait, what was this pilot program? On January 1, 2023, a program in British Columbia created an exception to Canada’s Controlled Drugs and Substances Act within the province. Residents were allowed to legally possess and use drugs in most public spaces in British Columbia, with exceptions for places such as airports, daycares, and schools. The government monitored the program’s effects in the province during 2023. The program was originally scheduled to remain effective until January 31, 2026.

Why is this program getting rolled back? Since the pilot began, B.C. law enforcement and public health officials have raised concerns about increasing drug use, Canada Health said. Additionally, officials raised concerns that law enforcement wasn’t equipped to respond to more public drug use. Last month, the province formally requested that the program be rolled back.

Dig deeper: Read my report in The Sift about how Oregon recently recriminalized certain drugs after making all of them legal years before.