Toronto’s denied drug decriminalization is a step ‘backwards,’ expert says

Provinces and territories should not stop pushing for drug decriminalization despite the federal government’s rejection of Toronto’s request, one expert says.

Guy Felicella, a harm reduction and recovery expert in British Columbia, says all regions in Canada need to persevere with treating substance addictions as a health issue.

“I think everybody should be making those requests still, regardless of what the federal government is going to do… because the current model of criminalizing people doesn’t work,” Felicella told Global News on Saturday.

The federal government rejected a request from Toronto health officials to decriminalize the possession of small quantities of drugs for personal use Friday.

Federal Minister of Mental Health and Addiction Ya’ara Saks turned down the bid roughly two years after it was first filed.

“Today, Minister Saks has refused the request, as proposed from Toronto Public Health, to decriminalize personal possession of controlled drugs and substances for people in Toronto,” a statement issued by Health Canada Friday read.

“She has determined that it does not adequately protect public health and maintain public safety,” the agency said.

Felicella says Ottawa’s decision shows the federal government is looking at the issue of drug use through a criminal lens, “which we already know doesn’t change anything.”

“(We’re) just going backwards into something that doesn’t work,” he said.

He says incarcerating substance users doesn’t stop them from using and facing harms from drugs. A lack of decriminalization policies also hinders people from achieving a fulfilling life because the effect a criminal record has on access to employment opportunities and proper housing, he says.

“It creates this isolation in society