In our drug policy work, the Canadian Drug Policy Coalition (CDPC) acknowledges the colonial ideologies, systems, and processes in which we operate within.
We strongly feel that we must emphasize that colonial systems continue to cause harm and that our work is embedded within these systems. CDPC is a part of Simon Fraser University—and large institutions such as these move in ways that are often rigid, culturally insensitive, and uncreative when it comes to working with Indigenous peoples. This is evident when it comes to paying Indigenous people in ways that are culturally respectful. The protocol of requesting receipts and invoices, and sometimes waiting for weeks to get paid, is a huge barrier to many—and a disincentive to collaboration processes that must be meaningfully addressed.
We feel it is important to acknowledge that there have been times when we acted insensitively and are grateful to those who have taken the time to educate us on how these processes may not best serve key groups that we truly wish to serve efficiently and compassionately. We are moved by these relationships and would like to honour them by striving to improve how we ensure our Indigenous allies are paid in a way that works best for them.
Municipal governments, along with federal and provincial governments, have an important role to play in reforming harmful drug policies. To support public health and human rights, the Canadian Drug Policy Coalition (CDPC) advocates for full decriminalization of simple drug possession and necessity trafficking*, investment into social supports such as housing, expansion of safe supply and harm reduction measures, and legal regulation of all drugs under a single regulatory framework.
To forward key policy changes such as decriminalization, and to support harm reduction measures such as supervised consumption sites, having support from city council can make all the difference in implementing the changes that are needed to address the drug toxicity crisis.
*Necessity trafficking is sharing or selling drugs for subsistence, to support personal use, or to provide a safe supply.
AVERTISSEMENT : Ce message contient des références à des abus sexuels.
Le 12 mai 2022, la Coalition canadienne des politiques sur les drogues (CCPD) a publié une déclaration. Cette déclaration, qui a été supprimée du site Web drugpolicy.ca/fr le 20 mai, abordait la question d’un incident d’abus sexuel qui a été signalé en 2018 lors d’un essai clinique mené par la « Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies » aux États-Unis (MAPS) et qui impliquait également MAPS Canada. La déclaration de la CCPD a indiqué qu’il y avait des indications que la participante a « a été ignorée, minimisée, supprimée et utilisée pour la forcer à rester dans une position d’extrême précarité sociale et économique » par MAPS. La CCPD n’a pas effectué de vérification indépendante de ces allégations. La CCPD a retiré sa déclaration. Nous regrettons toute erreur dans la déclaration originale. La CCPD soutient toujours fermement les victimes de négligences cliniques impliquées dans des essais de thérapie psychédéliques.
Nous voulons préciser que la déclaration de la CCPD du 12 mai et cette déclaration ne représentent pas forcément les opinions de plus de 50 organisations qui font partie de la Coalition canadienne des politiques sur les drogues.
Throughout the country, dozens of events are being held on August 31 to honour those who have been lost to drug overdose and to raise awareness of the toxic drug poisoning crisis. The following list of events are just some of the initiatives our friends and partners are holding to acknowledge this day:
ENSEMBLE:
In collaboration with John Howard Society, ENSEMBLE is having a free community BBQ on August 31st from 11am-3pm for International Overdose Awareness Day (80 Weldon St, Moncton). We will also be doing free Naloxone training! Individuals can submit names of loved ones lost to the toxic drug supply to [email protected] and we will display them on hearts to commemorate them.
ENSEMBLE is also hosting a candlelight vigil at city hall on August 31st at 8pm. They will read out names, light candles and take a moment to collectively grieve.
Sagkeeng Arena Complex and Sagkeeng Arbor Aug 23 – 26, daily from 10 a.m. – 3 p.m. (see poster for details)
Moms Stop The Harm:
Moms Stop the Harm encourages members to consider a variety of actions in your community on August 31 to mark IOAD 2022. These include:
Make, wear and distribute purple ribbons.
Organize or participate in an IOAD event.
Leave an empty purple chair for your loved one. Take photos and share on social media.
Demonstrate what a regulated, safe supply could look like. You can do so by ordering a demonstrator box to display at your event. Order by Aug 10, 2022 by sending your name, address and event to [email protected].
Check out the different communities they’ll be in on August 31 here!
Ryan’s Hope and Moms Stop The Harm
Ryan’s Hope and Moms Stop The Harm will be meeting at City Hall for a flag raising, proclamation from the Mayor, and a short ceremony of remembrance. Organizations will be on hand to hand out harm reduction kits, and naloxone. 9:30 a.m. at Barrie City Hall, 70 Collier St.
Ryan’s Hope and Moms Stop The Harm will meet in honour of those we have lost for a time of remembrance, celebration, and mourning. Speeches, a moment of silence, and a candlelight vigil will be held. If you would like your loved one honoured, email your photo and memory to [email protected]. 8 p.m. at Barrie City Hall, 70 Collier St.
United Way Simcoe Muskoka
To align with Overdose Awareness Day, United Way Simcoe Muskoka is hosting a documentary screening of Flood: The Overdose Epidemic in Canada, which tells the human story behind the overdose epidemic. Following the screening will be a panel discussion with local experts and people with lived experience to shine a light further on this local crisis. It is a free event, tickets here: https://tickets.algonquintheatre.ca/TheatreManager/1/online?performance=2226
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. show starts at 7 p.m. at Algonquin Theatre in Huntsville, 37 Main Street East.
Sandy Hill Community Health Centre
Please join us for guest speakers, narcan training and tabling by related organization! 11:30 am at 120 Lisgar st – Human Rights Monument.
Chilliwack Community Action Team and Shxwha:y Village
Mountainside Harm Reduction Society is partnered with the Chilliwack Community Action Team and Shxwha:y Village to host an event on Wednesday August 31st from 12pm – 4pm. Resources, memorial activities, drug checking and consumption services, support groups, free food trucks & a live butterfly release will be happening at 44680 Schweyey Road.
Blood Ties Four Directions – Yukon
Blood Ties Four Directions will be holding a space where the community can share memories and hopes for change in a supportive sharing circle. We will be providing a memorial tree for those who have passed and candles. We will also be having a few speeches and introducing the « Getting to Tomorrow dialogue ». We will be providing some stew and bannock for refreshments. Our event will take place on the 31st from 11am-2pm (6189 6th Avenue Whitehorse, Yukon).
The East Kootenay Network of People who Use Drugs will be hosting our 3rd annual protest 🪧 in Cranbrook. We will meet at ANKORS at 12:00pm 🕛. From there we will march through down town Cranbrook, to City Hall.
Black-CAP
Join us on 31 August 2022 as we raise awareness of overdose and reduce the stigma of drug related deaths. It’s a time to remember our loved ones and a time to act! Learn how to recognize and respond to an Overdose. Naloxone training and kits are available. 12 pm – 4 pm at Christie Ossington Neighbourhood Center (854 Bloor Street, West).
Avenue B
Avenue B will be hosting a Harm Reduction Fair at Kings Square from 10 am – 2 pm with tables from Moms Stop the Harm, SUNAR, Avenue B (including Naloxone training), Ridgewood, Riverstone Recovery, and more. 100 King St, Saint John.
ANKORS:
ANKORS, the Rural Empowered Drug Users Network, Mental Health and Substance Use, Circle of Indigenous Nations Society, Nelson Fentanyl Task Force, Freedom Quest, The HUB, Kootenay Boundary Supported Recovery, and other local resource providers and groups will be hosting a Vigil from 1 pm – 2 pm, and a Knowledge Walk from 2 pm – 3 pm in Cottonwood Falls Park, Nelson.
Coalition of Substance Users of the North (CSUN)and Community Partners
CSUN and community partners are inviting the community to attend their event on August 31st from 12 pm – 3 pm. The event will take place at the front entrance of the walking bridge on Front Street. They will be hosting an opening ceremony, open mic, memorial flower drop, Elder/partner/honourary guest acknowledgement, and closing ceremony. Learn more about the event here.
Maple Ridge Street Outreach Society
Join the Maple Ridge Street Outreach Society for a Pancake brunch to honour and remember loved ones lost to the Fentanyl poisoning epidemic. The event will be a space to share food and stories to remember our loved ones and call for actions. The brunch is from 10 am – 12 pm at Neighbourhood House, 11739-223 Ave in Maple Ridge. Learn more about this event here.
Mission Overdose Community Action Team
Mission Overdose Community Action Team will be hosting a memorial art walk from 4 pm – 7 pm. Please meet at 1st Ave in Mission. Art will be displayed on First Ave. with support of the Mission Downtown Business Association. Live Music, Resources, Refreshments, Empty Chair Campaign, Naloxone training, conversation. Memorial open mic & guest speakers 5:30pm. Learn more about this event here.
ROAR – Reducing Overdose: Abbotsford Response
ROAR will be hosting an event from 11 am – 2 pm at Jubilee Park. There will be Keynote speakers, Naloxone training, information booths, interactive art activities, and food trucks. Learn more about the event here.
Sunshine Coast Community Action Initiative
The Sunshine Coast Community Action Initiative is hosting an event from 3-6 PM at Hackett Park in Sechelt, BC. Enter the park at the corner of Ocean Avenue and Dolphin Street. The event will bring recognition to the lives lost to overdose and call for action from government to work harder to decrease the fatalities from this crisis. The event will include speakers, music, local resources, and an intentional space to memorialize those who have been lost.
Memorial for Overdose Outrage
The Memorial will start between 1:30pm until about 3 pm. Please meet in the courtyard (churchayard next to 955 Queen St E).
CN Tower Illumination
In honour of IOAD, the CN Tower will be illuminated in purple for all to see.
Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre
Join the Parkdale Queen West Community Health Centre from 11 am – 3 pm for their event.
We are looking for a web designer with experience in interactive design and educational websites to design and develop an all-encompassing Harm Reduction Hub website as part of our existing website.
We envision this as a ‘go-to’ destination on our existing website that is interactive and accessible and encompasses a range of Harm Reduction materials including videos, documents, an event calendar, maps, images, resources, toolkits etc.
Another aspect of this project will include reworking our current menu bars to better centralize content provided by staff.
Site content is being developed internally. This project is focused on website design, UI/UX, and web development on an existing WordPress website.
Timeline
Scope of project: 10-12 weeks
Proposals reviewed and selected by Sept 14, 2022
Work to begin late September 2022
Website launch January 2023
Project Purpose
Stimulus works in close collaboration with experts from every province, including people with living experience, national organizations and regional partners.
Our goal is to create a website (accessible from drop-down menu https://stimulusconference.ca) that connects all the resources that come out of these individuals and organizations, to provide an interactive, centralized and collaborative space that provides resources and information to people who use drugs, frontline workers, community groups and others in the harm reduction and drug policy sector.
Scope of Work
The Web Developer will work both independently and collaboratively with CDPC staff to brainstorm, conceptualize, plan and design a compelling and interactive website to exist within our current website. This website will encompass current Stimulus branding and present materials (provided by CDPC staff) in an accessible, user-friendly way. While this website will use existing branding materials (colours, fonts, logos), the page will have its own unique components compared to other CDPC and CAPUD websites, separate from the appearance of existing websites.
It’s essential that we provide a visual resource centre including functionalities such as
Categorized resource directory
Search feature
Video library
Interactive Event Calendar (with user submission function)
Social stream
Parallel French website
Potential other functionalities to include
Harm reduction map
Forum with user profiles
Deliverables
Meetings with Stimulus/CDPC staff for updates on progress
Tutorial on how CDPC staff can upload and manage the website (maintenance guide)
Website with populated sections (content provided by CDPC staff)
Required Information
At least 5 years of web design or development
Examples of educational web design (non-profit examples are an asset)
Examples of online archives/libraries
Experience with integrating search engines on websites
Proposed timeline and budget
The CDPC welcomes and values labour and life experiences done outside of formal school or work environments. Please do not hesitate to let us know about any experience that you have in your communities that meet our requirements.
The Canadian Drug Policy Coalition values equity, diversity, justice, and inclusion, and is focused on enriching our commitment to and application of these principles. We encourage applicants from a range of communities, experiences, and backgrounds including, Indigeneity, race, drug use, ability, sexuality, gender, and those affected by the criminalization of drugs and/or sex work.
Budget
$12,000 for website design, including tax
Possibility for additional maintenance retainer
Proposals Email questions and proposals to: Naja Kassir, Stimulus Program Coordinator [email protected]
Stigma is a mark or characteristic connected to negative attitudes or beliefs about people because of who they are, what they do, or their circumstances in life. Negative attitudes or beliefs could be about race, social class, and even behaviour. Many people who currently use drugs or have used drugs in the past may experience stigma on a frequent or daily basis. Because many of the activities around substance use—like possessing or dealing drugs—are criminalized, people who use substances are often stigmatized as both people who use substances and criminals.
Stigma is harmful because it creates real barriers to people accessing health care, legal support and important social services, creating a perpetual harmful cycle where those who would most benefit from help cannot access it and are further marginalized in society. People are less likely to seek help for substance use disorder because of the shame associated with stigma. They are more likely to use substances alone, greatly increasing their risk of death because there will be no one to intervene should they overdose.
Avoiding Stigmatizing Narratives
Perpetuating stigmatizing stereotypes by advancing inaccurate narratives can also have harmful consequences for people affected by substance use disorder. These narratives often don’t reflect the lived realities of the people involved. Here are a few to avoid:
Harm reduction enables drug use. Harm reduction services do not exist in silos. At supervised consumption sites, people can access a whole range of supportive services, such as housing and counselling, that drastically increase their likelihood of improving their health and stability in life. Harm reduction does not enable people who use drugs; it provides a pathway to health and recovery while keeping people alive.
Abstinence is the most effective (only) way to address substance use disorder. This has not been borne out in research. For some people, it is impossible to adhere to abstinence as a condition of treatment; therefore, these health interventions fail these individuals. Effective treatment involves accessibility and lower barriers to ensure those who want and are ready for treatment can access it.
Fentanyl over-prescription is fuelling overdose. The majority of overdoses in Canada are not caused by pharmaceutical-grade fentanyl produced by drug companies, which is often prescribed to patients in the form of take-home patches or administered in hospitals. Most overdose deaths are caused by illegally produced fentanyl created in clandestine labs and sold on the street, often as heroin. Focussing on the former diverts attention away from the latter and thus the true cause of the overdose crisis (prohibition and flawed drug policy) and affects access to pain medication for a population that requires it.
The dichotomy between a person who uses drugs and a person who sells them (“drug dealer”). This “criminal versus victim” separation is based on an inaccurate understanding of substance use and has been popularized by its simplicity and the convenient way it vilifies members of society deemed “criminal.” In reality, people who use drugs often sell them to support their own substance use. These individuals—often highly marginalized and precariously housed—face a range of systemic barriers and stigma preventing them from fully integrating into society.
Hitting rock bottom is necessary for someone to recover. Human connection and support is essential for people to successfully recover. Allowing a person to “hit rock bottom” is the opposite of these conditions and will often end in fatal overdose. As noted by the First Nations Health Authority, “hitting rock bottom can be more destructive than helpful.”
Addiction is a choice and moral failing. Many reasons cause people to turn to drugs, but underpinning much of the substance use disorder we see in society is trauma. Substance use is often a response to traumatic life events wherein individuals seek relief from significant pain—physical/psychological—while navigating life to the best of their ability. People should not be vilified for the ways they choose to cope with this trauma. It is natural to seek respite through some external object or activity, and many individuals face barriers to accessing less harmful means of support, for example, healthy and supportive social networks and counselling services.
Considerations for More Accurate Storytelling
Avoid sensational photos. Sensationalized images—including extreme close-ups of jagged needles, broken glass, and large mounds of white powder—unnecessarily ratchet up fear. This fuels stigma towards people who use drugs, increasing social isolation and thereby also adversely affecting their health and safety. These images are also inaccurate and fail to reflect the realities of substance use for most people. This article by the New York Times is a good example of how non-stigmatizing images can both respect the requirements of journalism and the dignity of subjects involved. It features people with dignity and respect while not sanitizing the realities of substance use.
Use credible subject-matter experts and sources. Hearing from both sides of the story on a matter of public health is important when both sides represent honest, credible viewpoints informed by evidence. Members of the scientific and drug policy communities who rely on rigorous studies and evidence are best positioned to comment on matters of substance use. The scientific consensus strongly supports harm reduction and a move away from a criminal justice approach in a similar way to how the vast majority of science supports the reality of human-caused climate change. Based on expertise and experience, numerous senior public health officials have also openly supported legal regulation and a safe supply of drugs for people experiencing substance use disorder. Giving police, business associations, and other individuals lacking expertise in public health wide latitude to comment on this issue in a way that puts their comments on an equal footing to credible sources distorts the debate away from scientific consensus and can help amplify misinformation. These groups are able to comment on their own personal, isolated experiences (and those of their members and community), but it is also important to put these comments into a wider public health context where the evidence has borne out more societal benefits than harm.
Note: Some of the information in this guide was adapted from “Changing the Narrative.” For more information, visit https://www.changingthenarrative.news/
1er juin 2022 — Une coalition grandissante d’organisations de défense des politiques en matière de drogues et des droits de la personne à travers le Canada — comprenant des personnes qui consomment de la drogue, des professionnels de la santé, des spécialistes du droit, des universitaires et autres — explique que la récente décision du gouvernement du Canada de décriminaliser la possession de drogues doit être poussée plus loin pour assurer une protection à tous, surtout aux personnes les plus à risque de subir les méfaits de la prohibition des drogues et de la crise de toxicité des drogues. Nous sommes en faveur d’une politique qui fait progresser les choses ; il est toutefois inacceptable que le modèle de décriminalisation annoncé le 31 mai ne protège pas toutes les personnes qui consomment des drogues contre les méfaits de la criminalisation.
Nous appuyons les mesures progressistes, mais nous aspirons à des objectifs universels. Nous voulons une décriminalisation complète pour tous.
Hier, le Gouvernement du Canada, sous la direction de son nouveau ministère de la santé mentale et des toxicomanies, et le gouvernement de la Colombie-Britannique ont annoncé leur décision d’accorder l’exemption demandée par la Colombie-Britannique à la Loi réglementant certaines drogues et autres substances (LRCDAS). La C.-B. est la première juridiction au Canada à effectuer ce changement de politique. La nouvelle politique assure à tout adulte de la province une protection juridique en cas de possession de drogues illicites jusqu’à un total cumulatif de 2,5 g.
La déclaration annoncée hier est une reconnaissance des efforts menés par les personnes qui consomment des drogues et leurs alliés en Colombie-Britannique et au Canada, qui, depuis des décennies, militent en faveur de la décriminalisation des drogues. Pourtant, cette déclaration constitue également un échec. Une quantité seuil cumulative de 2,5 g ne suffit pas pour de nombreuses personnes qui consomment de la drogue, en particulier celles qui vivent dans des communautés rurales et éloignées et qui souffrent déjà de façon disproportionnée des conséquences de la prohibition des drogues et de la crise de toxicité des drogues.Les personnes achètent de plus grandes quantités de drogues pour de nombreuses raisons : contraintes géographiques, raisons de mobilité personnelle, et pour limiter leurs interactions avec le marché des drogues illicites. Des préoccupations concernant les quantités seuils trop basses ont été répétées à plusieurs reprises à la province de la Colombie-Britannique et à Santé Canada par la « Core Planning Table for Decriminalization » de la Colombie-Britannique et le conseil d’administration du « Vancouver Network of Drug Users » (VANDU) et ce, sans résultat.
Cette décision a été prise alors qu’un projet de loi plus progressiste sur la politique des drogues, le projet de loi C-216, est soumis au vote du Parlement aujourd’hui, le 1er juin. Cette annonce vise à ralentir la progression de ce projet de loi jusqu’à l’étape du comité, où il pourrait être renforcé. Malgré tout, nous appelons les membres du Parlement à prêter attention aux conseils des experts dans ce domaine et à voter le projet de loi C-216 à l’étape du comité.
Le Canada ne prend pas de mesures nationales en faveur de la décriminalisation, ce qui est tout à fait étonnant, surtout que trois juridictions ont déjà demandé des exemptions à ce jour. Cette approche fragmentée que le gouvernement du Canada privilégie maintenant ne répond pas aux besoins urgents liés à la crise des intoxications par la drogue dans ce pays.
Nous continuerons à faire pression en faveur de la décriminalisation pour tous et à mettre fin à une guerre contre la drogue dépassée et qui continue à tuer jusqu’à 20 personnes par jour au Canada. La criminalisation a échoué, et il faut absolument abandonner cette voie malencontreuse. En fait, il faut apporter un changement systémique dans une situation d’urgence de santé publique causée par ce même système. Il faut donc décriminaliser les drogues et les personnes qui les consomment, et donner accès à un approvisionnement légal et réglementé. Nous ne pouvons plus tarder.
28 avril 2022 : c’est aujourd’hui le Jour de deuil national pour les travailleurs qui sont morts ou blessés en milieu de travail. Le directeur général de la CCPD, Donald MacPherson, a participé à une cérémonie commémorative à Vancouver, en Colombie-Britannique, pour rendre hommage à ceux qui ont perdu la vie ou qui ont souffert de blessures ou de maladies à cause d’une tragédie liée au travail.
Le Jour de deuil est un rappel brutal du besoin urgent d’un approvisionnement sûr en drogues en Colombie-Britannique et à travers le Canada, ainsi que de la nécessité de faciliter l’accès aux mesures de réduction des méfaits sur le marché du travail.
A memorial wreath is placed at a ceremony in Vancouver, B.C. on April 28, 2022, honouring workers killed or injured on the job.
En Colombie-Britannique, la plupart des personnes employées qui sont mortes par empoisonnement aux drogues toxiques entre 2017 et 2021 travaillaient dans les secteurs des métiers, du transport et de la conduite d’équipement.
L’impact de la crise des empoisonnements par la drogue sur les personnes travaillant dans les secteurs des métiers, de la construction et des transports peut être dû à des facteurs tels que la gestion de la douleur physique, la santé mentale et une culture de consommation de substances dans ce secteur. 1
Selon le rapport de 2022 du comité de révision du Service des coroners de la Colombie-Britannique intitulé BC Coroners Service Death Review Panel : A Review of Illicit Drug Toxicity Deaths (en anglais), 35 % de ceux qui sont décédés à cause des drogues toxiques entre août 2017 et juillet 2021 avaient un emploi au moment de leur décès et plus de la moitié (52 %) d’entre eux travaillaient dans les métiers, le transport ou la conduite d’équipement. 2
En ce Jour de deuil national pour les travailleurs décédés ou blessés en milieu de travail, la Coalition canadienne des politiques sur les drogues lance à nouveau un appel pour une action immédiate et vigoureuse pour mettre en place des alternatives d’approvisionnement sûres sur le marché des drogues illégales toxiques, ainsi qu’une action du gouvernement fédéral pour décriminaliser la simple possession de drogues au Canada afin de réduire la stigmatisation et d’impliquer les travailleurs qui risquent de mourir à cause de la toxicité des drogues.
« Il n’est pas rare que ces travailleurs souffrent de blessures, de douleur et de stress en lien avec le travail. Et ils ne savent pas toujours où obtenir les ressources nécessaires. Ce qui pourrait entraîner un usage plus fréquent d’analgésiques et d’autres substances pour se sentir mieux » .3
En janvier 2022, la province a annoncé un nouveau financement pour la Vancouver Island Construction Association (VICA) pour étendre son projet Tailgate Toolkit (en anglais), un programme de réduction des méfaits et de prévention des empoisonnements par drogues toxiques dans l’industrie de la construction de la Colombie-Britannique. Selon la province, ce projet contribuera à sensibiliser les gens à la gestion de la douleur et à réduire la stigmatisation associée à la consommation de drogues.4
A group of workers attend a memorial ceremony in Vancouver, B.C. on April 28, 2022, to honour those who have died or suffered injury or illness due to work-related tragedies.
c’est aujourd’hui le Jour de deuil national pour les travailleurs qui sont morts ou blessés en milieu de travail.
A group of workers attend a memorial ceremony in Vancouver, B.C. on April 28, 2022.
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Ministre de la Santé mentale et des Dépendances et ministre associée de la Santé
Monsieur Jean-Yves Duclos
Ministre de la Santé
c. c. Madame Sheila Malcolmson, ministre de la Santé mentale et des Dépendances de la Colombie-Britannique
Madame la Ministre Bennett et Monsieur le Ministre Duclos,
Re : Un seuil cumulatif proposé de 4,5 grammes en Colombie-Britannique
Nous sommes une coalition de plus de 20 organisations de la société civile au Canada, représentant des personnes qui consomment de la drogue et leurs familles, des groupes autochtones et d’autres groupes racialisés, des fournisseurs de services, des organisations juridiques, des groupes de recherche et des militants de la politique en matière de drogues. Nous avons pour objectif d’abolir les lois pénales et autres lois, ainsi que les politiques et pratiques qui contrôlent, stigmatisent, pathologisent et punissent les personnes qui consomment de la drogue.
Nous sommes conscients que Santé Canada évalue présentement la demande de la Colombie-Britannique pour obtenir une exemption à la Loi réglementant certaines drogues et autres substances en vue de décriminaliser la possession simple jusqu’à une quantité seuil cumulative de 2,5 grammes. Cette quantité est déjà un seuil cumulatif considérablement trop bas pour de nombreuses personnes qui consomment des drogues ; elle a été rejetée à la quasi-unanimité par la « Core Planning Table on Decriminalization » de la Colombie-Britannique.
Honorables ministres : un seuil cumulatif de 2,5 grammes ne repose sur aucune justification légale ou probatoire. En accord avec la recommandation de notre plateforme de 2021, nous vous prions de refuser cette quantité et de renoncer complètement aux quantités seuils.
Nous vous avons communiqué à plusieurs reprises le risque important associé à la fixation d’un seuil qui ne reflète pas les habitudes de consommation réelles. Les marchés de la drogue se conformeront à ce seuil bas, en modifiant par exemple la puissance et les quantités de drogues disponibles ou vendues, ce qui pourrait augmenter le risque de surdose. Les autres effets néfastes d’un seuil de 2,5 grammes sont notamment le renforcement des interactions avec le marché non réglementé, alors que les personnes essaient d’éviter la criminalisation en achetant régulièrement de plus petites quantités. Les groupes les plus affectés par un seuil bas seront les communautés noires, autochtones et autres communautés racialisées, marginalisées et défavorisées, qui sont victimes de discrimination et qui sont arrêtées et incarcérées de manière disproportionnée pour des infractions liées à la drogue.
Un seuil de 2,5 grammes est en contradiction avec l’engagement de votre gouvernement en faveur d’une politique des drogues fondée sur des preuves, de la lutte contre le racisme et pour la réconciliation avec les communautés autochtones. Cette mesure ne respecte pas les recommandations formulées par la Core Planning Table de la Colombie-Britannique et favorise les demandes non justifiées de la police, fondées sur la stigmatisation. Nous savons que Santé Canada a rencontré la police lors de son processus de prise de décision, tandis que les demandes de groupes dirigés par des personnes qui consomment des drogues, comme le « Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users » (VANDU), ont été entièrement ignorées.
Il faut réussir la décriminalisation. Il vous incombe, sur les plans moral, juridique et éthique, de faire respecter les droits fondamentaux des personnes qui consomment de la drogue ; pour ce faire, il est indispensable que vous mettiez l’accent sur leur expertise. Un seuil de 2,5 grammes continuera à provoquer des dommages graves à nos communautés et il faut l’abandonner.
Ainsi, nous vous demandons de
1. nous expliquer les arguments et fournir des preuves justifiant un seuil de 2,5 grammes ; et
2. nous rencontrer ce mois-ci afin d’assurer que les points de vue des personnes qui consomment des drogues sont prioritaires et que les recommandations de la BC Core Planning Table sont finalement adoptées.
Signed,
Avenue B Harm Reduction AVI Health and Community Services BC Association of Aboriginal Friendship Centres Blood Ties Four Directions British Columbia Centre on Substance Use British Columbia Civil Liberties Association CACTUS Montreal Canadian Association of People who Use Drugs (CAPUD) Canadian Drug Policy Coalition Canadian Students for Sensible Drug Policy Centre d’intervention et de prévention en toxicomanie de l’Outaouais (CIPTO) Centre on Drug Policy Evaluation Drug Users Advocacy League Drug User Liberation Front ENSEMBLE Services Greater-Grand Moncton Gilbert Centre HIV Legal Network Indigenous Harm Reduction Network Moms Stop the Harm Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies Canada Ottawa Inner City Health Pivot Legal Society South Riverdale Community Health Centre Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users (VANDU)
Additional signatures (added April 21, 2022 onwards)
Association des intervenants en dépendance du Québec (AIDQ) Sandy Hill Community Health Centre EACH+EVERY: Businesses for Harm Reduction Sandy Hill Community Health Centre PAN Student Overdose Prevention and Education Network (SOPEN) Gilbert Centre
2 A. Greer et al, “The details of decriminalization: Designing a non-criminal response to the possession of drugs for personal use,” International Journal of Drug Policy 102 (2022) 103605.
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