Close X
Friday, November 1, 2024
ADVT 
National

Canada ranks sixth in global drug policy index

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 09 Nov, 2021 12:28 PM
  • Canada ranks sixth in global drug policy index

Canada ranks sixth in the world's first drug policy index, but experts say its passing grade is nothing to be proud of as status quo policies are doing little to curb thousands of deaths yearly.

The Global Drug Policy Index ranks countries on their drug policies against recommendations set by the United Nations on human rights, criminal justice and treatments.

The majority of the 30 countries included in the study received failing grades, with a median score of 48 out of 100.

Canada hit 56 out of 100, with a lot of points deducted for how its drug policies disproportionately target racialized people.

Donald MacPherson, director of the Canadian Drug Policy Coalition, says while Canada is implementing some innovative approaches, such as harm reduction programs, it doesn't go far enough to address the toxic drug market and related harms.

More than 22,000 Canadians have died from accidental opioid poisonings since 2016.

 

MORE National ARTICLES

Trudeau makes Bennett new mental health minister

Trudeau makes Bennett new mental health minister
Carolyn Bennett, who served recently as minister of Crown-Indigenous relations, has been tapped to take on the new minister of mental health and addictions role. The role has been separated from the rest of the health portfolio, which will be helmed by former Treasury Board President Jean-Yves Duclos.

Trudeau makes Bennett new mental health minister

A full list of who is where in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's new cabinet

A full list of who is where in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's new cabinet
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's cabinet was revealed on Tuesday, with old faces in familiar places, and new faces in new places. Here is a breakdown of who has what ministerial position. 

A full list of who is where in Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's new cabinet

West Fraser to buy South Carolina OSB mill

West Fraser to buy South Carolina OSB mill
The company says the mill will give it the flexibility to better meet customer demand, particularly in the southeastern U.S. The mill, which began producing OSB in 2007, has been idle since late 2019.

West Fraser to buy South Carolina OSB mill

B.C. health workers hit vaccination deadline

B.C. health workers hit vaccination deadline
Premier John Horgan says he's hopeful that the small number of workers who are resistant to getting vaccinated will get the information they need to get their shots. Those who don't have their first dose of vaccine by the deadline can't work unless they have a recognized exemption.

B.C. health workers hit vaccination deadline

1,618 COVID19 cases over 3 days

1,618 COVID19 cases over 3 days
There are 4,966 active cases of COVID-19 in the province, and 195,055 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the active cases, 366 individuals are in hospital and 149 are in intensive care. 

1,618 COVID19 cases over 3 days

VPD releases video of west-side kidnapping victim

VPD releases video of west-side kidnapping victim
Surveillance video seized by police captures Lee entering the Oakridge highrise around 10:15 p.m. on September 23, then leaving the next day shortly before 4 a.m. Investigators believe he was kidnapped while walking back to his parked car.

VPD releases video of west-side kidnapping victim