Thread by @SoniaFurstenau

I applaud the provincial and federal governments for decriminalizing personal possession of drugs in BC.

The BC Coroners Death Review Panel made it clear that #decriminalization is needed in order to ensure that people can access services without stigma. 1/ #bcpoli #cdnpoli

https://twitter.com/AndreaWoo/status/1531699777238208512

But this announcement comes with a caveat.

BC requested a limit for personal possession of 4.5 g, but the federal government only approved a limit of 2.5g.

Health experts and advocates argued for a higher threshold, based on data and evidence. 2/ #bcpoli #decriminalization

The intent of #Decriminalization is to reduce stigma, but when possession limits are low, it can result in higher potency of drugs, potentially causing more harm and a fear of seeking help. 3/ #bcpoli #EndTheStigma #safesupply

#Decriminalization opens the door to further drug policy reforms necessary for reducing the harms of the toxic drug supply.

We need to be looking ahead at how to improve. This is a floor, not a ceiling. 4/ #bcpoli #safesupply

Lastly #Decriminalization alone will not save lives. We need to rapidly increase and expand regulated safe supply, and do it outside of a prescriber model. 5/5 #bcpoli #safesupply
www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/bir…