Amid the ongoing overdose crisis in B.C., the province has applied to the federal government in hopes of decriminalizing possession of small amounts of illicit drugs for personal use. This was done specifically to prevent more overdose deaths in the province.

According to the BC Coroners Service, There were 1,204 illicit drug toxic deaths between January and July of 2021. This is a 28 per cent jump compared to the same period in 2020. 

Though overdose deaths were on a decline prior to March 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the issue throughout the province. Over 7,700 people in B.C. have died due to overdose since the start of the pandemic. 

If the exemption is approved, it will allow individuals 19 and older to possess less than 4.5 grams of an illicit drug, including heroin and fentanyl, without facing charges. If caught with illicit drugs within the stated amount, the individual would not have the substance seized from them or face charges, but be offered information to access addiction and mental health services.  

“Substance use and addictions is a public health issue, it is not a criminal justice issue,” said B.C.’s Mental Health and Addictions Minister Sheila Malcolmson at Monday’s press conference where the announcement was made. “Shame and fear keeps people from accessing life saving services and treatments.”

Decriminalizing, which involves removing criminal penalties but is different from legalization, aims at taking the punishing element away from people who use drugs and make space to tackle the mental health issue at the core of the crisis. 

“Criminalizing people using drugs has meant punishing those that are already suffering,” said B.C.’s Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe. “The goal of decriminalization is to reduce suffering and death. It is a compassionate and rational response to a health crisis.”

While the announcement was made just this week, there has already been some discussion around the allowable amount of 4.5 grams. Some advocacy groups say that it is too low, while the B.C. Association of Police Chiefs said in their statement that the amount is in fact too high. 

Some organizations including Moms Stop the Harm are pushing for the decision to be made by consulting those who are actually users and directly impacted by the decision. 

At this time, It is not clear how long the federal government will take to review B.C.’s application for the exemption.