Several Metro Vancouver municipal councillors are urging the B.C. government to halt drug decriminalization, calling for a focus on treatment and rehabilitation instead. Surrey Councillor Linda Annis, New Westminster Councillor Daniel Fontaine, and Richmond Councillor Alexa Loo made a joint statement on April 22, advocating for their respective councils to push the provincial government to end the decriminalization of deadly drugs.
They plan to bring motions to their councils to advance this request. According to Ms. Loo, decriminalization has exacerbated the situation rather than improving it. She emphasized the need to stop the current approach as it is not effectively helping individuals and is negatively impacting neighborhoods.
The councillors referenced Oregon’s decision to end decriminalization after a trial period, citing public opinion as a driving factor. They underscored the failure of decriminalization in both Oregon and British Columbia and urged a shift towards treatment and rehabilitation services. They highlighted the importance of accountability in providing timely services to those in need.
The article also mentions concerns about drug-related incidents in hospitals, with nurses facing violence and challenges due to the decriminalization policy. Opposition parties have echoed the councillors’ calls to end decriminalization and prioritize treatment and recovery. The narrative emphasizes the need for a change in approach to address the ongoing challenges related to drug use and its impacts on communities. Please rewrite the given statement for me.
Source link