Travis Lupick Speaks to Decriminalization and Legalization
Author(s): Scott Douglas Jacobsen
Publication (Outlet/Website): Canadian Students for Sensible Drug Policy
Publication Date (yyyy/mm/dd): 2017/12/15
Travis Lupick in the The Globe and Mail argued that decriminalization of some drugs does not go far enough. On Vancouver Island, construction workers completed a safety class. There weren’t ‘instructions on steel toed boots for proper lifting.’
Rather, it was on overdose responsiveness. That overdose responsiveness oriented towards drugs or substances. Clubs and Bars in British Columbia, Canada, have been undergoing similar workshops or trainings.
High schools are also engaged in similar training for teachers. There were 23 fatal overdoses per month in British Columbia in 2012. That was as high as 162 in December 2016. That number is significant across the country, with higher numbers coming out of British Columbia.
Overdoses mean death of family and friends of loved ones in Canada. The overdose epidemic is not to be taken lightly as far as I am concerned, especially for the disproportionately impacted Indigenous population. Overdose prevention sites and naloxone on-site through the streets of British Columbia are one measure to prevent overdoses that could lead to fatalities.
In terms of harm reduction as part of the solution set, it is an important part of it. Lupick spent over three years interviewing allies of drug users and drug users themselves. Some of the views expressed were that even though legalization may not become a reality then decriminalization would be a secondary consideration.
It will be better than nothing in other words. The process of decriminalization would take away penalties for possession of all drugs such as cocaine, heroin, and marijuana. This would look at the demand-side the market. On the supply side of the market, legalization would look at production, distribution, and sale of heroin and cocaine. New Democratic Party leader Jagmeet Singh said Canada should decriminalization personal possession of all drugs in order to divert people away addiction issues from police in prisons
References
Lupick, T. (2017, December 15). Decriminalization doesn’t go far enough. Retrieved from https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opinion/decriminalization-doesnt-go-far enough/article37345776/.
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