[Scape]

Parliament is heading towards a vote on an NDP Private Member’s Bill that would decriminalize drug possession for personal use, among other changes to address Canada’s overdose crisis. The Liberals have also proposed a bill that would amend the Controlled Drug and Substances Act. Garth Mullins of the Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users has been fighting for decriminalization for a long time as he’s watched friends die and get incarcerated. He talks about these two bills and his vision for healthy drug policy in Canada.

I expect nothing from the current leadership. Just like here in BC all talk and no walk on the fentanyl crisis until the house is all but burn down to the foundation and THEN act, so too will the feds deflect rather than taking real action on drugs and law enforcement when they are the ones who are directing this crisis.

It all boils down to 'druggies' are a political hot potato. Can't be seen with them or seen as doing anything that is seen as addressing the problem.

[DrCaleb]

Scape Scape:

It all boils down to 'druggies' are a political hot potato. Can't be seen with them or seen as doing anything that is seen as addressing the problem.

When they realize it's a public health problem, like many of us already have, that perception will change.

[Scape]

They being the Canadian electorate or they being the Canadian business class? Try hiring someone with a drug 'problem' as an employer it's all downsides. This is what motivates the vote. The underlying current is why throw good money after bad? Why not cut your losses and just hire people who are not junkies?

I get the point that this is a health issue and should be dealt with as such but it is the business class that dictates what we vote on, till that shifts this isn't going to change.

[DrCaleb]

'They' being Parliament. The stigma then changes, and hiring someone who used to have a drug dependency will be no different than someone with a weight problem. Health system will deal with it, business won't see it as an issue.

It's my hope, anyhow.

[Scape]

Well, I hate to say it but we have a political class that see such an approach as nothing short of heresy and the other see it as a political football to be brought up ONLY when it is to their advantage. Not much room for hope there. Till then the tempo is literally dictated by law enforcement and they see it as a line on their budget. Why would they make a change that would hurt their funding?