Flip-Flopping on Decriminalization
Episode description
When B.C. decriminalized small amounts of drugs in January 2023, it was seen as a promising weapon in the battle against the drug crisis. In May, B.C. walked that policy back, saying it caused disorder in the streets.
In a similar move, Toronto tried decriminalizing, but the feds quickly shot down their attempt. So what gives? Was this year-long experiment a disaster? Was it not given enough time to flourish?
To find out, Mattea Roach asked professor Gillian Kolla, journalist Andrea Woo, and former drug user and advocate Guy Felicella.
Host: Mattea Roach
Credits: Noor Azrieh (Producer), Sam Konnert (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor), Karyn Pugliese (Editor-in-Chief)
Guests: Guy Felicella, Andrea Woo, Gillian Kolla
Background reading:
- #36 Is Canada Ready to Decriminalize Drugs? – The Backbench
- Detox beds in B.C. routinely sit empty because of staff shortages – The Globe and Mail
- Opinion: Backtracking on drug decriminalization is politically cowardly – and illogical – The Globe and Mail
- British Columbia drops decriminalization of drugs in public – The Guardian
- Addictions minister had ‘deep concerns’ with Toronto’s decriminalization pitch – Global News
- Decriminalization in B.C.
- Decriminalizing people who use drugs in B.C.
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