A bill to decriminalize drug possession for personal use and expand access to harm reduction and treatment services is being discussed in the House of Commons Wednesday.
Bill C-216 was put forth by Courtenay-Alberni MP Gord Johns.
Last year, 2,224 people in British Columbia lost their lives to the toxic drug supply, which is 26 per cent more than the previous year.
“Canada is dealing with a second health pandemic which is needlessly killing thousands of people,” said Johns. The overdose crisis will not end on its own. It’s clear we need to take a new approach or else thousands more will die. My bill follows the advice of the government’s own expert task force which recommended decriminalization, something that has been called for by public health authorities, police chiefs and major cities.”
Almost 25,000 Canadians have lost their lives from the overdose crisis in the last six years.
“I am hopeful that all parliamentarians will see the urgent need for this legislation and will come together to support it,” said Johns. “Canadian lives are at stake.”
