British Columbia will decriminalize possession of a small amount of certain hard drugs as part of a three-year pilot project. Could Quebec do the same? Here’s what an expert has to say.
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What does the decriminalization of simple possession look like?
The benefits are numerous, says Jean-Sébastien Fallu, associate professor at the School of Psychoeducation at the University of Montreal and specialized in drug addiction prevention.
On the one hand, we are talking about a reduction in the stigmatization of people who use drugs or who are struggling with substance use problems.
“By decriminalizing people who use drugs, we will end their stigma, which prevents them from having access to services and support that can save their lives”, pleaded the provincial minister of Mental Health and Addictions , Sheila Malcolmson.
“To go from a vision of a criminal to a person who does not have the right [de consommer] but who is rather seen as a sick person by some, it promotes services, which become more accessible, and it makes it possible to hide less for fear of criminalization, ”adds Mr. Fallu.
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Decriminalization also makes it possible to address the overdose crisis from a public health perspective, which would indirectly lead to a reduction in the number of overdoses, he believes.
For many organizations and community activists, the decriminalization of such a small quantity – 2.5 grams combined – is a step in the right direction, but it is not enough.
“It changes a lot of things, but not enough. It does not affect the quality of the products on the market, ”argues the professor. Product supply and quality issues encourage the circulation of harmful mixtures that can lead to overdoses.
Is Quebec also affected by the overdose crisis?
Yes! Contrary to what one might think, the overdose crisis affects the entire country and Quebec is no exception, although to a lesser extent than British Columbia.
In 2021, there were 450 deaths related to possible drug or opioid poisoning, according to data from the National Institute of Public Health of Quebec (INSPQ). This is less than the 547 deaths in 2020, but “it is clearly on the increase” compared to previous years, insists Mr. Fallu.
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“It’s hard to assess the extent of the crisis here, and it’s true that it’s not as bad as in British Columbia. But it’s still a lot of people, a lot of families, colleagues and traumatized workers who lose loved ones. It worries the public health departments, ”he argues.
The unknowns who remain around the situation in Quebec also prevent the health authorities from declaring a public health crisis, which Jean-Sébastien Fallu deplores.
Will possession be decriminalized here as well?
Despite progress elsewhere in the country, Jean-Sébastien Fallu is rather pessimistic about the possibility that Quebec will decriminalize possession anytime soon.
“Quebec is the most conservative province in the country on the issue of drugs,” he says. Whether it is in terms of drug control, legalization of drugs, including cannabis, it is here that the opposition is the greatest.
The Quebec Minister of Justice, Simon Jolin-Barrette, also said last year that this is not in the short-term plans. A press officer for the minister reiterated on Tuesday to The Press that such a project is not envisaged in Quebec for the moment.
Who is in favor of drug decriminalization?
However, there are many voices in favor of the decriminalization of drugs in the province, starting with the City of Montreal, several regional public health departments – including the former national director of public health for Quebec, Horacio Arruda – and even the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM).
• Read also: Even the police think drug possession should be decriminalized
— With QMI Agency