Vancouver Aims to Become First Canadian City to Decriminalize Drugs

published on November 18, 2020 by Moira Wyton in The Tyee

Vancouver could become the first Canadian city to decriminalize the possession of illicit drugs in an effort to prevent increasing numbers of overdose deaths.

Mayor Kennedy Stewart wants city council to approve a motion to decriminalize drug use and move the city away from stigmatizing and harming people who use substances.

“It’s time we embraced a health-focused approach to substance use,” Stewart said today.

Since the provincial overdose crisis was declared a public health emergency in April 2016, more than 1,500 people in Vancouver have died, with 328 deaths so far this year…