Thresholds for 15 drugs outlined in decriminalization plan sent by Vancouver to Health Canada
As B.C.'s coroner announced the April death toll due to the ongoing overdose crisis, municipal officials unveiled the final plan for the "Vancouver model" of decriminalization.
The City of Vancouver outlined its proposal to Health Canada in a news release Tuesday. The city will be asking for an exemption to federal drug possession rules.
Essentially, the exemption would decriminalize the possession of a small supply of drugs including heroin and meth. The exemption would only apply to "simple possession," and anyone found with a supply large enough to suggest trafficking would still be considered in violation of the federal Controlled Drug and Substances Act.
Mayor Kennedy Stewart outlined in the city's statement the reason for the approach: "We know addressing the devastating overdose crisis and saving lives requires fully embracing a health-centred approach."
It's a message similar to that of B.C.'s chief coroner, who announced earlier the same day that April had been another record-breaking month for deaths due to illicit drug overdose.
Lisa Lapointe said at least 176 people died that month, bringing the total so far this year to 680.
With just the first four months of data included in the latest figure, that total is already more than halfway to last year's record toll of 1,176 deaths.
The health regions most impacted by the overdose crisis are in B.C.'s Lower Mainland, especially in Vancouver and Surrey.
Along with the data, Lapointe issued a warning about the increasing toxicity of the province's supply, and said the best approach is harm reduction and recovery services.
Officials have said numerous times that decriminalizing smaller amounts may encourage people to seek support in times of need by reducing the stigma of use.
Vancouver is the first jurisdiction in the country to ask for such an exemption from Health Canada, the city said.
PROPOSED THRESHOLDS AND CRITICISM
Its plan includes a specific threshold, based on the substance in question. Those found to have a smaller amount than that threshold will face no criminal sanctions for possession.
Last month, that aspect of the plan drew criticism from a coalition of advocates who warned Vancouver's plan could do more harm than good.
At that time, the group said in a letter to the working groups involved that the thresholds outlined in the initial plan used to define simple possession were too small.
Calling the model "phony," the coalition of 15 organizations wrote that it refused "to be tokenized in petty political bids… We want decriminalization – but on our terms, not the terms of police and politicians."
PROPOSED VOLUMES
The plan submitted to Health Canada includes thresholds for 15 substances, according to the city.
The proposed thresholds are as follows:
- Opioids, including heroin and fentanyl: two grams
- Cocaine: three grams
- Crack cocaine: 10 rocks (or one gram)
- Amphetamine: 1.5 grams
- Dilaudid: two grams
- Kadian: 7.5 grams
- M-eslon: 7.5 grams
- Oxycodone: two grams
- Methadone liquid: one gram
- Suboxone: 120 milligrams
- Clonazepam: 80 milligrams
- Diazepam: 400 milligrams
- Ativan: 80 milligrams
- Prescription stimulants: 500 milligrams
- MDMA: two grams
- LSD: 30 units
- Psilocybin mushrooms: 20 grams
- Ketamine: three grams
- GHB: five grams
But in the statement on Tuesday, the city's public health consultant said these thresholds are "only a starting point."
Ted Bruce said it's likely the amounts will change as more data becomes available, with input from people "with lived experience," to ensure the model actually works.
In its proposal, the city says these thresholds will be based on local research on use and possession patterns, and that the plan is that they will be "sufficiently high to provide significant coverage of personal drug use."
The city says the volume should account for a multi-day supply for an individual.
'HEALTH-FOCUSSED APPROACH'
The city says this will "pave the way instead for a health-focussed approach to substance use."
City staff say the approach would lead to fewer seizures from police, and there would be no fines or jail time involved, but it would also include voluntary referrals for support programs. This contact would be made by health-care workers, not police, the city says.
Those found to be in possession of amounts over the threshold can still have their substances seized and may be charged. The intent is to destigmatize personal use while still penalizing dealers.
B.C.'s provincial government plans to apply for a similar exemption to the federal health ministry. https://bc.ctvnews.ca/b-c-to-request-federal-exemption-to-decriminalize-personal-drug-possession-1.5387199
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trump fined US$1,000 for gag order violation in hush money case as judge warns of possible jail time
The judge presiding over Donald Trump's hush money trial has fined him US$1,000 for violating his gag order and sternly warned the former president that additional violation could result in jail time.
The story of how a B.C. man found his birth mother
After his adopted parents died, Dave Rogers set out to learn more about his birth mother. DNA results and a little help from friendly strangers would put him on a path to a small town in England.
When grief and AI collide: These people are communicating with the dead
AI tools can offer recommendations, answer questions and 'talk' with users. But some users are using them to recreate the likeness of the dead.
Spike in 'violent rhetoric' since Oct. 7 attack from 'extremist actors,' CSIS warns
The Israel-Hamas war has led to a spike in 'violent rhetoric' from 'extremist actors' that could prompt some in Canada to turn to violence, the Canadian Security Intelligence Service warns.
Italy's white-collar mafia is making a business killing
Italy's mafia rarely dirties its hands with blood these days. Extortion rackets have gone out of fashion and murders are largely frowned upon by the godfathers.
WestJet, mechanics union agree to tentative deal to avoid strike
A potential strike between WestJet and its mechanics union appears to have been avoided.
Russia announces nuclear weapon drills after angry exchange with senior Western officials
Russia plans to hold drills simulating the use of battlefield nuclear weapons, the Defense Ministry announced Monday, days after the Kremlin reacted angrily to comments by senior Western officials about the war in Ukraine and Moscow warned that tensions with the West are deepening.
Summer forecast: What to expect as El Nino weakens
As Canadians brace themselves for summer temperatures, forecasters say a weakening El Nino cycle doesn’t mean relief from the heat.
Actor Bernard Hill, of 'Titanic' and 'Lord of the Rings,' has died at 79
Actor Bernard Hill, who delivered a rousing cry before leading his people into battle in 'The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King' and went down with the ship as the captain in 'Titanic,' has died.