Advocates for people who use drugs decry B.C.’s proposed ban on public consumption

published on October 6, 2023 by Becca Clarkson in CTV News Vancouver

Advocates for British Columbians who use drugs are pushing back against the provincial government’s proposed ban on the public consumption of substances, arguing it doesn’t do anything to address the overdose crisis and will only cause more harm.

In response to safety concerns around B.C.’s decriminalization efforts, the province introduced new legislation Thursday that would make it illegal to use drugs in community spaces, including parks and beaches.

If passed, the law would “effectively recriminalize the most marginalized people who use drugs,” the Union of British Columbia Indian Chiefs said in a statement Thursday.

The province decriminalized the possession of a small amount of illicit drugs for personal use back in January, in an effort to address B.C.’s overdose crisis, which was declared a public health emergency in 2016…