decriminalization

In 2022, Health Canada approved a three-year exemption from the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act that decriminalized possession of certain illegal substances for personal use among adults in the province of British Columbia (BC). This exemption includes a cumulative threshold of 2.5 grams of opioids, cocaine, methamphetamine and methylenedioxy-methylamphetamine (MDMA). Researchers conducted interviews with people who use drugs in BC to understand the impact of the 2.5-gram threshold and how it might affect people who use drugs.

Two recent environmental scans by Public Health Ontario examine the evidence on the health and social impacts of safer supply programs for people who use substances including local, provincial/state, national and international examples of safer supply models, as well as evidence on the health and social impacts of drug decriminalization policies.

Psychotherapy Matters (PM) offers a collaborative care conference each month to its members in which we discuss different topics related to the field of mental health. Last month we started discussing the brain and its different parts! This month we are continuing this conversation and talking about the neuron!

If you are interested in attending this conference, we are offering non-PM members one FREE conference!

The opioid poisoning crisis has taken more than 25,000 lives across Canada since 2016. Last year, CAMH released a statement in favour of decriminalizing the simple possession of illicit drugs, including opioids. In this webinar, the presenters will explain CAMH's position, the rationale behind it, and the other measures needed to address this crisis.

Lots of new material - webinars, reports - at www.overdoseprevention.ca for keeners.

The Waterloo Region Crime Prevention Council recently endorsed legalization with strict regulation of substances as the approach that offers the greatest potential benefits for both individual and community health, safety and well-being, and the lowest financial burden to taxpayers.

Microdosing refers to taking a small enough amount of a psychedelic drug (often LSD or psilocybin) to improve mood, induce physical and mental stimulation, and encourage creative thinking, without producing full hallucination.

This webinar, part of the YMCA Youth Substance Program, will explore the history of microdosing, impacts on the body and mind, and harm reduction strategies. Intended audiences include youth, caretakers, and service providers.

The Peel Integrated Drug Strategy in collaboration with the Peel Harm Reduction Committee is organizing the 9^th Annual Drug Awareness Week Forum on November 15th and 16th. The Drug Awareness Week forum is a space for productive dialogues where we can continue to build on our successes from previous years to further engage service providers. This year the forum will explore themes revolving around Decriminalization of substance use, Reducing Stigma associated with drug use, Indigenous-centered approaches to Harm Reduction & more.

What you need to know

Drug prohibition (i.e., the banning of drugs) and criminalization (i.e., making using, selling or having drugs illegal) is costly and ineffective. It is time for these failed policies to end and to invest in the most heavily affected racialized communities.