Quebec policy - Decriminalization hard drugs is “not in the plans” from Quebec
Quebec Justice Minister Simon Jolin-Barrette is closing the door for now on the idea of decriminalizing the possession of a small amount of hard drugs to combat the opioid crisis, as will soon be the case in British Columbia.
"In the short term, [decriminalization] is not in the plans," Jolin-Barrette said Wednesday. Currently, we are already working with the programs we have [in prevention]. Last year, the minister raised in parliamentary committee the idea of diverting simple possession of drugs. The government could then direct hard drug users to help resources.
Ottawa announced Tuesday that in British Columbia, as early as next year, it will be possible to be in possession of 2.5 grams of opioids, cocaine, ecstasy or methamphetamine without arrest or charge. This measure will apply strictly to the use of drugs for personal purposes.
In a press briefing, Québec solidaire MP Alexandre Leduc described the strategy adopted in British Columbia as "very good news." "It's important, it can save lives," he said. Party co-spokesman Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois also stressed that people struggling with addiction "are not bandits." "Addiction itself is a health problem and sometimes a social problem and that's how it should be approached," he said.
Liberal MP Marc Tanguay said there needs to be a debate in Quebec about the decriminalization of hard drug possession. If opioid overdoses are "a real crisis in British Columbia," this reality also exists in Quebec, he argued.
On the side of the Parti Québécois, MP Pascal Bérubé believes that it is necessary to question some experts and doctors about the consequences of overdoses in Quebec. "I don't think we're ready to have that debate," he said. But if the numbers were to give us similar indications to what we find in downtown Vancouver, we will certainly have to address the issue. »
"In the short term, [decriminalization] is not in the plans," Jolin-Barrette said Wednesday. Currently, we are already working with the programs we have [in prevention]. Last year, the minister raised in parliamentary committee the idea of diverting simple possession of drugs. The government could then direct hard drug users to help resources.
Ottawa announced Tuesday that in British Columbia, as early as next year, it will be possible to be in possession of 2.5 grams of opioids, cocaine, ecstasy or methamphetamine without arrest or charge. This measure will apply strictly to the use of drugs for personal purposes.
In a press briefing, Québec solidaire MP Alexandre Leduc described the strategy adopted in British Columbia as "very good news." "It's important, it can save lives," he said. Party co-spokesman Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois also stressed that people struggling with addiction "are not bandits." "Addiction itself is a health problem and sometimes a social problem and that's how it should be approached," he said.
Liberal MP Marc Tanguay said there needs to be a debate in Quebec about the decriminalization of hard drug possession. If opioid overdoses are "a real crisis in British Columbia," this reality also exists in Quebec, he argued.
On the side of the Parti Québécois, MP Pascal Bérubé believes that it is necessary to question some experts and doctors about the consequences of overdoses in Quebec. "I don't think we're ready to have that debate," he said. But if the numbers were to give us similar indications to what we find in downtown Vancouver, we will certainly have to address the issue. »
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Quebec Politics - Decriminalization of Hard Drugs Is 'Not in Quebec City's Plans' (msn.com)
Quebec Politics - Decriminalization of Hard Drugs Is 'Not in Quebec City's Plans' (msn.com)