04/30/2024
This page isn't used as often as it should be (because, you know, time), but we feel a strong need to respond to the recent backtrack on the decriminalization policy. It feels as though stigma and fear mongering prevailed here, and it has brought up a wide range of emotions for our team. People are dying in our communities from this crisis and this change is only going to make matters worse.
Some of our thoughts on this:
-The old policies didn't work. So why are we going backwards? Why not push forward and try innovative solutions? Listen to the people who are using the substances, to the people who work in the field, to the people who have lost loved ones. Trust us, we have ideas. Media coverage on this talks about input from communities leading to this change, but were people using substances ever talked to? Were their needs ever considered? Did anyone ever try to find out how public substance use could be diminished without jumping to criminalizing people?
- Most deaths from drug poisoning (overdose) are occurring in private residences, and if we are forcing people farther into isolation how can this possibly be viewed as a step in the right direction? Most drug poisoning deaths are people who are housed (usually men), working in trades, using alone for fear of stigma. What is this saying to those who have been too apprehensive to reach out and tell someone? This new change confirms any fears and says that as long as they hide their substance use it is fine, even though their risk of drug poisoning (overdose) death, is highest when they are alone.
To us, the starkest highlight in this change is the further criminalization of poverty. I cannot think of a clearer demonstration of this than this sentence:
"While the personal possession of 2.5g of co***ne, methamphetamine, M**A and opioids such as fentanyl will be permitted in private spaces, such as homes, tents and safe injection sites, the police will soon be able to seize drugs if people are using in public spaces “when necessary” or to arrest them in “exceptional circumstances” [1].
This says people who have the privilege of housing can use these drugs and it isn't an issue. But people with nowhere to go, who often use where they are visible so someone can respond if they do overdose, are now criminalized (again) for a circumstance that isn't easy to change. Housing isn't easy to find for anyone in BC, let alone people with multiple barriers or folks experiencing homelessness. As for the tent being a place people can use, in our city, tents have packed up by 9am, so where are they supposed to go? Not to mention how much that in itself would increase the risk over drug poisoning (overdose) death.
And safe consumption sites? In Vernon they all closed by 3pm and are only open Monday to Friday. That doesn't exactly scream accessible solution to all public substance use.
This new policy change highlights how it's all about optics; not about solving problems related to housing instability or substance use - they just don't want to see it. Decriminalization was never even given a chance before there were advocates against it. It takes time for progressive change, and by going backward the message being sent to our most vulnerable people is "nobody cares, we don't want to see it, your life isn't valued."
This reverse course isn't going to solve anything. If we truly want to solve the issue, we need to put more resources into support, into a wide range of housing options, double down on safe use spaces so cities/towns have 24hour access sites, and talk to the people who are using drugs and ASK THEM what they need. Going back on decriminalization is not "tough love", it is a just another way to tell unhoused folks, and people living in poverty that their lives don't matter.
If you actually care about the lives of people who use drugs, write to your MLA, write to our Premiere, make some noise that this is not okay and that there are other, more evidence based, solutions. And get a Naloxone kit, carry it with you, and know how to use it - you could save someone's life.
If you are someone who is using, please know that you aren't alone, and there are large communities of people who are against this change. Reach out to a local service provider if you are nervous to talk to friends and family. And remember:
- Start low, go slow
- If you are using with friends, stagger using time (eg. wait 15 minutes between people taking substances)
- Get yourself a Naloxone kit and know how to use it (and make sure someone with you knows how to use it)
- Use in a familiar place
- Get your drugs tested (here in Vernon we have completely confidential FTIR testing at the Vernon Medicine Shoppe and their hours are always posted on their Instagram page . No personal information is collected to use this service. Feel free to message me here if you have questions)
- DON'T USE ALONE. And if you have to use alone, look into one of the overdose prevention/ response apps like the LifeGuard app, it could save your life.
1.Cecco, L., (Apr. 29, 2024) "British Columbia Drops Decriminalization of Drugs in Public", The Guardian.
