Two Vancouver Island MPs are asking the federal government to decriminalize drug possession in an effort to help families dealing with loved ones who use or are addicted to drugs.

Courtenay-Alberni MP Gord Johns introduced a private memberB次元官网网址檚 bill that was seconded by North Island-Powell River MP Rachel Blaney that would decriminalize drug possession for personal use and expand access to harm reduction, treatment and recovery programs and services.

B次元官网网址淲e need to decriminalize immediately and save lives by providing access to a regulated safer supply of drugs for users,B次元官网网址� Johns said. B次元官网网址淏esides these necessary steps, this bill would also require the government to remove barriers to employment, housing and travel for thousands of Canadians by expunging their criminal records for simple possession of drugs. This shouldnB次元官网网址檛 be a partisan issue.B次元官网网址�

Since 2016, nearly 6,000 overdose deaths have been reported in B.C. alone. In 2021, Vancouver, Toronto and the province of B.C. have all applied to the federal government to allow for decriminalization of drugs for personal use. In 2021, Campbell River had 403 reported overdose calls, a number much higher than any of the previous five years.

Overdose calls in the province were up 31 per cent in 2021 over the previous year.

B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檝e walked with parents and heard heartbreaking stories of loss in our communities. No family should have to go through that. ItB次元官网网址檚 clear that the current approach isnB次元官网网址檛 working,B次元官网网址� said Blaney. B次元官网网址淓xperts are clear that this crisis needs a health focused approach. People who use drugs should not be treated like criminals.

B次元官网网址淭hey need better access to harm reduction and treatment. I am urging all of Parliament to act now and save lives.B次元官网网址�

RELATED:

marc.kitteringham@campbellrivermirror.com
Like us on and follow us on