Theme: Social Science & Policy Research Year: 2024
Background: On January 31, 2023, the Canadian province of British Columbia decriminalized the personal possession of 2.5g of certain drugs. The goals of decriminalization are multifaceted and include addressing criminalization as a social determinant of health, reducing harms caused by criminalization, and removing barriers to support people who use drugs. As the key population this policy will impact, it is imperative that people who use drugs’ initial experiences with decriminalization are examined.
Methods: As part of a national evaluation of the decriminalization policy, between October 2023 and February 2024, we qualitatively interviewed 100 people who use drugs recruited from communities across BC. Participants partook in a structured socio-demographic survey, followed by a semi-structured interview where they described their initial experiences with decriminalization. Interviews will be analyzed thematically.
Results: Preliminary qualitative results suggest that most participants consider decriminalization a positive step forward as they are less concerned about being arrested and are more comfortable to carry the drugs they need without fear of repercussions. Participants were mostly aware of the policy, although the specifics (drugs included, threshold amount, and duration) were not always known. Participants who interacted with the police did not receive resource cards or verbal information on community health and social services. Other results will focus on drug use and purchasing patterns, access to services, stigmatization, and the potential impacts of public consumption legislation.
Conclusion: This qualitative study sheds light on the initial impacts of the decriminalization initiative in BC among people who use drugs. Results are preliminary but have the potential to inform policymakers regarding the appropriateness and implementation of the policy Results also underscore the importance of continuing to evaluate this policy as it evolves.