Edmonton to examine decriminalizing minor drug offences
In Edmonton, a city council committee will examine decriminalizing illegal drugs to help reduce the number of drug poisoning deaths.
According to data released by the provincial government, 666 Edmontonians and nearly 1,800 Albertans died from drug overdoses in 2021, with at least a record-breaking 100 deaths every month.
"That's nearly two preventable deaths a day," said Michael Janz, Ward papastew councillor.
In January, Janz asked for a report from city administration that explored pathways Edmonton could take toward decriminalizing small amounts of illegal drugs, following the lead of other major Canadian cities like Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver.
This week, councillors on the Community and Public Services Committee will receive the report and decide whether to move ahead, which would require a subsequent motion recommending city council to consider the issue.
"It's an entirely preventable drug crisis," Janz told CTV News Edmonton. "This is an enormous number. We need to look at any measure we can.
"Any evidence-based measure, like decriminalization, that can help get people out of the criminal justice system into a public health system where they can see doctors, where they can get a prescription, and where they can get at the root causes driving the addiction… is needed," he added.
Elaine Hyshka, Canada Research Chair in Health Systems Innovation and an assistant professor at the University of Alberta's School of Public Health, echoed Janz's calls.
"We've been watching the situation worsen in Alberta over the past two years," Hyshka said. "There's been very little concerted effort to try and reverse the trend."
Hyshka said her research has shown that many drug users at risk of overdosing will not consider seeking treatment due to societal stigma and fear of prosecution.
"If we can move in the direction where we are not criminalizing people who are struggling, I think that will go a long way actually in encouraging people to have conversations and seek help," she said.
"We know that criminalizing minor drug possession is not an effective deterrent of substance use. It costs our whole society a lot of money," Hyshka said, adding that those resources could better be spent on treatment, harm reduction, or other health services.
The Alberta Association of Chiefs of Police said in January that it does “not currently support the decriminalization of illicit drugs, without the required supports being in place.”
"It's about time we put this stigma aside and stop politicizing this," Janz said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their “extremely dangerous” experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Half of Canadians have negative opinion of latest Liberal budget: poll
A new poll suggests the Liberals have not won over voters with their latest budget, though there is broad support for their plan to build millions of homes.
opinion Why you should protect your investments by naming a trusted contact person
Appointing a trusted person to help with financial obligations can give you peace of mind. In his personal finance column for CTVNews.ca, Christopher Liew outlines the key benefits of naming a confidant to take over your financial responsibilities, if the need ever arises.
Teacher shortages see some Ontario high school students awarded perfect grades on midterm exams
Students at a high school in York Region have been awarded perfect marks on their midterm exams in three subjects – not because of their academic performances however, but because they had no teacher.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Ottawa injects another $36M into vaccine injury compensation fund
The federal government has added $36.4 million to a program designed to support people who have been seriously injured or killed by vaccines since the end of 2020.
Photographer alleges he was forced to watch Megan Thee Stallion have sex and was unfairly fired
A photographer who worked for Megan Thee Stallion said in a lawsuit filed Tuesday that he was forced to watch her have sex, was unfairly fired soon after and was abused as her employee.
An Ontario senior thought he called Geek Squad for help with his printer. Instead, he got scammed out of $25,000
An Ontario senior’s attempt to get technical help online led him into a spoofing scam where he lost $25,000. Now, he’s sharing his story to warn others.
Her fiance has been in prison for 49 years. She's trying to free him before it’s too late
She was lying in bed on a Thursday morning, thinking about the man she loved, hoping to win his freedom before time ran out.