What if Quebec also decriminalized small amounts of coke, fentanyl and heroin?
British Columbia will decriminalize possession of a small amount of certain hard drugs in a three-year pilot project. Could Quebec do the same? Here's what an expert says.
What does it mean to decriminalize simple possession? The benefits are numerous, says Jean-Sébastien Fallu, associate professor at the School of Psychoeducation at the University of Montreal and specialized in drug prevention.
On the one hand, we are talking about a reduction in the stigmatization of people who use drugs or who have problems with use.
"By decriminalizing people who use drugs, we will end their stigma, which prevents them from accessing life-saving services and supports," said provincial Mental Health and Addictions Minister Sheila Malcolmson.
"To go from a criminal vision to a person who does not have the right [to consume] but who is rather seen as a sick person by some, it promotes services, which become more accessible, and it allows less hiding for fear of criminalization," adds Mr. Fallu.
Decriminalization also addresses the overdose crisis from a public health perspective, which would indirectly
lead to a reduction in overdoses, he said.
For many organizations and activists, decriminalizing such a small amount – 2.5 grams cumulatively –
is a step in the right direction, but it is not enough.
"It changes a lot of things, but not enough. It does not affect the quality of the products on the market, "says the professor. Problems with the supply and quality of products promote the circulation of harmful mixtures that can lead to overdoses.
Is Quebec also affected by the overdose crisis? Yes! Contrary to popular belief, the overdose crisis affects the entire country and Quebec is no exception,
although to a lesser extent than British Columbia.
In 2021, there were 450 deaths related to possible drug or opioid intoxication, according to data from the Institut national de santé publique du Québec (INSPQ). This is less than the 547 deaths in 2020, but "it is clearly increasing" compared to previous years, insists Mr. Fallu.
"It's hard to assess the extent of the crisis here, and it's true that it's not as bad as in British Columbia. But it's still a lot of people, a lot of families, colleagues and traumatized workers who lose loved ones. It worries the public health departments, "he says.
The unknowns who remain around the situation in Quebec prevent health authorities from declaring
a public health crisis, which Jean-Sébastien Falllu deplores.
Will we see decriminalized possession here as well? Despite progress elsewhere in the country, Jean-Sébastien Fallu is rather pessimistic about the possibility
that Quebec will decriminalize possession anytime soon.
"Quebec is the most conservative province in the country on the issue of drugs," he says. Whether it is in terms of drug regulation, the legalization of drugs, including cannabis, this is where the opposition is the greatest."
Quebec Justice Minister Simon Jolin-Barrette said last year that it is not in the short-term plans. A press secretary of the minister reiterated Tuesday to La Presse that such a project is not envisaged in Quebec for the insant.
VAT NEWS/QMI AGENCY
Minister of Justice Simon Jolin-Barrette
Who supports the decriminalization of drugs? However, there are many voices in favour of the decriminalization of drugs in the province, starting with the City of Montreal, several regional public health departments – including the former national director of public health of Quebec, Horacio Arruda –
and even the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM).
What does it mean to decriminalize simple possession? The benefits are numerous, says Jean-Sébastien Fallu, associate professor at the School of Psychoeducation at the University of Montreal and specialized in drug prevention.
On the one hand, we are talking about a reduction in the stigmatization of people who use drugs or who have problems with use.
"By decriminalizing people who use drugs, we will end their stigma, which prevents them from accessing life-saving services and supports," said provincial Mental Health and Addictions Minister Sheila Malcolmson.
"To go from a criminal vision to a person who does not have the right [to consume] but who is rather seen as a sick person by some, it promotes services, which become more accessible, and it allows less hiding for fear of criminalization," adds Mr. Fallu.
Decriminalization also addresses the overdose crisis from a public health perspective, which would indirectly
lead to a reduction in overdoses, he said.
For many organizations and activists, decriminalizing such a small amount – 2.5 grams cumulatively –
is a step in the right direction, but it is not enough.
"It changes a lot of things, but not enough. It does not affect the quality of the products on the market, "says the professor. Problems with the supply and quality of products promote the circulation of harmful mixtures that can lead to overdoses.
Is Quebec also affected by the overdose crisis? Yes! Contrary to popular belief, the overdose crisis affects the entire country and Quebec is no exception,
although to a lesser extent than British Columbia.
In 2021, there were 450 deaths related to possible drug or opioid intoxication, according to data from the Institut national de santé publique du Québec (INSPQ). This is less than the 547 deaths in 2020, but "it is clearly increasing" compared to previous years, insists Mr. Fallu.
"It's hard to assess the extent of the crisis here, and it's true that it's not as bad as in British Columbia. But it's still a lot of people, a lot of families, colleagues and traumatized workers who lose loved ones. It worries the public health departments, "he says.
The unknowns who remain around the situation in Quebec prevent health authorities from declaring
a public health crisis, which Jean-Sébastien Falllu deplores.
Will we see decriminalized possession here as well? Despite progress elsewhere in the country, Jean-Sébastien Fallu is rather pessimistic about the possibility
that Quebec will decriminalize possession anytime soon.
"Quebec is the most conservative province in the country on the issue of drugs," he says. Whether it is in terms of drug regulation, the legalization of drugs, including cannabis, this is where the opposition is the greatest."
Quebec Justice Minister Simon Jolin-Barrette said last year that it is not in the short-term plans. A press secretary of the minister reiterated Tuesday to La Presse that such a project is not envisaged in Quebec for the insant.
VAT NEWS/QMI AGENCY
Minister of Justice Simon Jolin-Barrette
Who supports the decriminalization of drugs? However, there are many voices in favour of the decriminalization of drugs in the province, starting with the City of Montreal, several regional public health departments – including the former national director of public health of Quebec, Horacio Arruda –
and even the Service de police de la Ville de Montréal (SPVM).
