Canada’s addictions minister says she is disturbed by “damaging” backlash and “misinformation” about British Columbia’s safer supply program and drug decriminalization pilot, efforts she says are already showing encouraging evidence of saving lives.
In January, B.C. decriminalized personal possession of small amounts of some hard drugs for adults in an effort to reduce drug-related arrests and charges that Mental Health and Addictions Minister Carolyn Bennett says discourage people from seeking support.
Health Canada approved the three-year pilot, which ends in January 2026.
Safe supply, which is different from decriminalization, is a harm reduction strategy that aims to separate people from the increasingly toxic and unpredictable drug supply
