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By Mel Rothenburger

ARMCHAIR MAYOR

ROTHENBURGER: New drug plan is no panacea but it beats doing nothing

Jun 1, 2022 | 4:41 AM

‘HELPING TO REDUCE STIGMA through decriminalization’ was the headline on a B.C. government news release yesterday.

It’s about the province receiving approval from the federal government for an exemption under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act to remove criminal penalties for possession of small amounts of some illegal substances for personal use.

People won’t be arrested or charged, or have their drugs seized under the new guidelines.

Just to be clear, possessing illegal drugs doesn’t qualify for a true stigma as we usually define it. Drug addiction does, however, along with things like mental illness, certain diseases, and homelessness.

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Maybe it’s a fine line but the point is that freezing enforcement against illicit drug use is no panacea and won’t work unless effective treatments are available for those wanting to rid themselves of their drug addictions.

Still, it beats doing nothing. The aim is to reduce overdose deaths, which continue to plague communities throughout the province due, in large part, to tainted drug supplies.

The exemption will be for three years starting next year and affect those over 18 years of age who possess up to 2.5 grams of opioids, cocaine, methamphetamine, or ecstasy for personal use.

The 2.5 grams is lower than the original proposal — 4.5 grams — so that should satisfy those such as Kamloops RCMP Supt. Syd Lecky who thought it was too high.

Dr. Bonnie Henry best summed up the intent. “This exemption is a vital step to keeping people alive and help connect them with the health and social support they need,” she said.

Henry went on to say that taking the fear and shame out of drug addictions will encourage people to access treatment programs.

Whether removing penalties for possession will actually prompt people to seek help remains to be seen but one thing is certain — what we’ve been doing up to now hasn’t worked. Three years should be long enough to find out it this approach helps.

I’m Mel Rothenburger, the Armchair Mayor.

Mel Rothenburger is a former mayor of Kamloops and a retired newspaper editor. He is a regular contributor to CFJC Today, publishes the ArmchairMayor.ca opinion website, and is a director on the Thompson-Nicola Regional District board. He can be reached at mrothenburger@armchairmayor.ca.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of CFJC Today or Pattison Media.