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Decriminalization

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Minister Open To Examining Drug Decriminalization

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The Federal Health Minister is open to looking at decriminalizing small amounts of illegal drugs.

The request is coming from the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, something Patty Hajdu says they’ll be having discussions about this in the future.

“To find out how we would do that in the best possible way. I’m excited to explore all possibilities to reduce the criminalization of people who use substances.”

Police want the enforcement of possession of illegal drugs to be replaced with a healthcare approach that doesn’t punish someone addicted to substances.

“You know having been a person who worked in drug policy for a long time, I can tell you when you have the support of enforcement to take the next steps or affirm what you are doing, I think that’s very important,” Hajdu says.

The Thunder Bay-Superior North MP adds she will have to discuss the matter with other cabinet colleagues.

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Call For Possession Drug Charges To Be Decriminalized

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The government of Canada is being asked to change legislation to decriminalize drug possession charges.

Mike Serr is with the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police and says too may people are dying from opioid overdoses.

Serr stresses the problem is a significant public safety and health issue.

Serr says less than two people are murdered on average in Canada every day, but about 11 people die of overdoses, so something needs to be done.

The report from the CACP calls for increased access to healthcare and treatment as well as social services improvements to divert people struggling with substance use or addiction away from the criminal justice system.

This would apply to people possessing a small amount of illicit drugs for personal consumption.

Association President Adam Palmer says legislation has to be changed at the federal level and he thinks the Trudeau government has, in the past, been very open to their recommendations.