There is no time to waste, as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to exacerbate the ongoing public health crises of drug toxicity injuries and deaths, on top of the still unresolved HIV and HCV pandemics, among other harms.
Decriminalization Done Right: A Human Rights and Public Health Vision for Drug Policy Reform
The current “Vancouver Model” sets a dangerous precedent—a system ‘by’ police is ‘for’ police, not the people it was intended to help. We need #DecrimDoneRight where policies are co-developed by people who use drugs.
Develop a model for decriminalization that responds to needs of people who use drugs
An exemption must apply to all substances, quantities (for personal use) instances of transferring below specified thresholds, and must not include unnecessary restrictions or conditions.
Decriminalizing drugs in Vancouver
This is a critical moment in Canadian drug policy. We must ensure that decriminalization centres the needs of people who use drugs
OPEN LETTER: Alberta Government must reinstate funding to ARCHES and harm reduction services in Lethbridge
The closure of Lethbridge’s supervised consumption site on International Overdose Awareness Day will undoubtedly lead to more overdose deaths
OPEN LETTER: Civil society organizations renew call for drug decriminalization
Criminalization is rooted in, and also drives, stigma and racism. This is wrong and must end.
Bill 22 directly undermines the public health, safety, and rights of youth who use drugs
Research shows that compulsory detention and treatment for substance use gives rise to a range of potential drug- related harms and human rights abuses.
Drug decriminalization as a necessary response to COVID-19
The COVID-19 pandemic has further exposed stark health inequities and the many structural factors that increase people’s vulnerability to the virus.
OPEN LETTER: Urgent action to ensure equitable application of public health protections
“Flattening the curve cannot be done without testing. It is imperative to triage resources to priority communities before outbreaks occur rather than simply react when they do.”
