BC backtracking on drug decriminalization spurs advocates’ fears of worsening crisis

Credit: Global News

The British Columbia government is banning all illicit drug use in public spaces, reversing course on its decriminalization policy that was intended to tackle the province’s overdose crisis.

More than 2,500 people in B.C. died from toxic drugs in 2023, when the decriminalization pilot project went into effect.

Neetu Garcha explains why B.C. is backtracking and why advocates are worried recriminalizing drugs won’t solve the worsening emergency.