File Photo (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By James Peters

Two and Out

PETERS: Decriminalization is a big paradigm shift — but a much more subtle change in practice

Feb 3, 2023 | 11:18 AM

THE DECISION TO DECRIMINALIZE POSSESSION of small amounts of hard drugs shouldn’t be seen as either the end of the world, nor the magic bullet that will finally bring the toxic drug crisis under control.

Instead, it’s a major paradigm shift many of us will have to wrap our heads around that will ultimately result in fairly minor change.

A few generations ago, the easiest way to get kids to internalize the danger of drugs was to tell them they were illegal.

It took a lot of pressure off of the adults explaining why kids shouldn’t do drugs — or why drugs are significantly different than much more commonly used substances like alcohol and tobacco.

Hard drugs like heroin and meth were illegal. The government told us they were bad and that was it. Beer and smokes were legal.

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Easy to explain; no shades of grey.

The move this week to make personal use of hard drugs not punishable by law is a significant change for those of us who were raised in that black and white world.

The actual impact of the change is sure to be much more subtle.

By removing the criminal deterrent, it’s hoped there will be less shame associated with drug use, and thus people will be more likely to use in the presence of others, giving them a better chance to survive if they overdose.

It’s also hoped that removal of shame will make them more likely to seek help.

But that’s where the removal of the criminal deterrent needs to be met with other avenues to help people live healthier, safer lives.

And that’s what is needed here in B.C.

In addition to decriminalization and safe supply — which we haven’t touched on but is also important — this province needs to present far more realistic and readily available options for treatment and recovery.

Once every four days in Kamloops last year, someone died of an overdose.

The response to this crisis has been far too little and far too slow.

Even if this decriminalization is a step, it’s a small shuffle when what we need are much more substantive strides.

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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.