Confronting Canada’s overdose crisis: what’s the deal with decriminalization?
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Published:
Mar 20, 2022
Keywords:
substance use, opioid crisis, harm reduction
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Abstract
The current overdose epidemic in Canada has only been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Deaths from overdose are increasing, and urgent response and action are needed to save the lives of people who use drugs. The concept of ‘decriminalizing drugs’ is not new, but discourse around it has been increasing recently, with major urban centres calling on the Canadian government to take action. This commentary discusses the meaning of decriminalization, recent progress that has been made in Canada, and its possible implications on the lives of people who use drugs.
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Commentary
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References
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6. Government of Canada D of J. 5.13 Prosecution of Possession of Controlled Substances Contrary to s. 4(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act - PPSC [Internet]. Aug 18, 2020. Available from: https://www.ppsc-sppc.gc.ca/eng/pub/fpsd-sfpg/fps-sfp/tpd/p5/ch13.html
7. Special Purpose Committee on the Decriminalization of Illicit Drugs. Findings and recommendations report. Decriminalization for Simple Possession of Illicit Drugs: Exploring Impacts on Public Safety & Policing [Internet]. Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP); 2020. Available from: https://www.cacp.ca/index.html?asst_id=2189
8. Boniface G. Health-Centred Approach to Substance Use Act [Internet]. Bill S-229 May 25, 2021. Available from: https://sencanada.ca/en/in-the-chamber/debates/
9. Drug Policy Alliance. It’s Time for the U.S. to Decriminalize Drug Use and Possession [Internet]. Drug Policy Alliance. 2017 [cited 2021 Sep 28]. Available from: https://drugpolicy.org/resource/its-time-us-decriminalize-drug-use-and-possession
10. Slade H. Drug decriminalisation in Portugal: setting the record straight. [Internet]. Transform Drug Policy Foundation; 2021 [cited 2021 Sep 28]. Available from: https://transformdrugs.org/blog/drug-decriminalisation-in-portugal-setting-the-record-straight
11. Tyndall M. An emergency response to the opioid overdose crisis in Canada: a regulated opioid distribution program. CMAJ. 2018 Jan 15;190(2):E35–6.
12. Greer A. Decriminalizing drug use is a necessary step, but it won’t end the opioid overdose crisis [Internet]. The Conversation. [cited 2021 Sep 28]. Available from: http://theconversation.com/decriminalizing-drug-use-is-a-necessary-step-but-it-wont-end-the-opioid-overdose-crisis-162497
13. Oviedo-Joekes E, Guh D, Brissette S, et al. Hydromorphone Compared With Diacetylmorphine for Long-term Opioid Dependence: A Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Psychiatry. 2016 May 1;73(5):447–55.
14. Oviedo-Joekes E, Brissette S, Marsh DC, et al. Diacetylmorphine versus Methadone for the Treatment of Opioid Addiction. N Engl J Med. 2009 Aug 20;361(8):777–86.
15. Fairbairn N, Ross J, Trew M, et al. Injectable opioid agonist treatment for opioid use disorder: a national clinical guideline. CMAJ. 2019 Sep 23;191(38):E1049–56.
16. Browne R. More doctors are prescribing opioids to prevent their patients from dying of overdoses - National | Globalnews.ca [Internet]. Global News. 2019 [cited 2021 Sep 28]. Available from: https://globalnews.ca/news/5412946/safe-supply-opioid-overdose/
17. Possible benefits of providing safe supply of substances to people who use drugs during public health emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic. Ontario HIV Treatment Network; 2020.