Close X
Saturday, November 23, 2024
ADVT 
National

B.C. wants small drug amounts decriminalized

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 01 Nov, 2021 04:29 PM
  • B.C. wants small drug amounts decriminalized

VICTORIA - British Columbia is applying to the federal government to remove criminal penalties for possession of small amounts of illicit drugs.

Mental Health and Addictions Minister Sheila Malcolmson says substance use and addiction is a public health issue and not a criminal one, which is why the province believes removing possession penalties will help more people get the care they need.

Figures released in September from the BC Coroners Service show there were 1,204 deaths from illicit drugs between January and the end of July, a 28 per cent jump over the same period in 2020.

The coroner says the first seven months of this year were the deadliest since a health emergency was declared in 2016, and July was the 17th straight month in which more than 100 B.C. residents died from a toxic drug supply.

Last month, Toronto said it was also preparing to ask Health Canada for an exemption under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act to decriminalize the possession of illicit drugs for personal use in the city, following a similar request made by Vancouver in May.

Toronto Public Health said a total of 521 confirmed opioid overdose deaths were recorded in the city last year, which represented a 78 per cent increase from deaths recorded in 2019.

 

MORE National ARTICLES

Mom convicted of daughter's murder loses appeal

Mom convicted of daughter's murder loses appeal
Surrey, B.C., resident Lisa Batstone was convicted of second-degree murder for smothering her daughter, Teagan, in December 2014. Batstone, who was 41 at the time, was sentenced in 2019 to life in prison with no parole eligibility for 15 years.    

Mom convicted of daughter's murder loses appeal

Canada lifts global non-essential travel advisory

Canada lifts global non-essential travel advisory
Dr. Theresa Tam, Canada's chief public health officer, said the government would be providing more specific information about the severity of COVID-19 in various countries to help Canadians decide where they should consider travelling.

Canada lifts global non-essential travel advisory

Canada mulls donation for unused COVID-19 vaccines

Canada mulls donation for unused COVID-19 vaccines
Chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam says provincial and federal governments are working to figure out how many doses will be needed in Canada so that everyone can be fully vaccinated, and get a booster if they need one.

Canada mulls donation for unused COVID-19 vaccines

Public service vax requirement spawns complaints

Public service vax requirement spawns complaints
The Liberal government announced earlier this month that core public servants must be vaccinated against the virus or face suspension without pay as early as Nov. 15.    

Public service vax requirement spawns complaints

What is the 'delta plus' variant of the coronavirus?

What is the 'delta plus' variant of the coronavirus?
Scientists are monitoring the delta-related variant — known as AY.4.2. — to see if it might spread more easily or be more deadly than previous versions of the coronavirus. In a recent report, U.K. officials said this variant makes up 6% of all analyzed COVID-19 cases in the country and is “on an increasing trajectory.”

What is the 'delta plus' variant of the coronavirus?

Pfizer says COVID-19 vaccine more than 90% effective in kids

Pfizer says COVID-19 vaccine more than 90% effective in kids
The shots could begin in early November, with the first children in line fully protected by Christmas, if regulators give the go-ahead. That would represent a major expansion of the nation's vaccine drive, encompassing roughly 28 million elementary school-age youngsters.

Pfizer says COVID-19 vaccine more than 90% effective in kids