Why Decriminalize

What are the harms caused by the criminalization of drugs in Canada

#DrugDecrimCanada

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23590
Apparent opioid toxicity deaths up to 2020

People have died in canada since 2016… so far

Opiod Deaths by Year

Deaths increased 62.2% following the COVID-19 pandemic

 

Number and rates of total apparent opioid toxicity deaths by province or territority in 2020

Canada

6,214 Deaths

Combined total

Nunavut

Data Suppressed

Manitoba

No Data Available

New Foundland and Labrador

24 Deaths

Pr Edward Island

8 Deaths

Nova Scotia

51 Deaths

New Brunswick

38 Deaths

Ontario

2425 Deaths

Saskatchewan

230 Deaths

Alberta

1,144 Deaths

Yukon

6 Deaths

Northwest Territories

3 Deaths

Quebec

547 Deaths

Quebec data includes deaths related to all illicit drugs not just opiods.

British Columbia

1,738 Deaths

British Columbia data includes deaths related to all illicit drugs not just opiods.

  • Canada

    6,214 Deaths

    Combined total

  • Nunavut

    Data Suppressed

  • Manitoba

    No Data Available

  • New Foundland and Labrador

    24 Deaths

  • Pr Edward Island

    8 Deaths

  • Nova Scotia

    51 Deaths

  • New Brunswick

    38 Deaths

  • Ontario

    2425 Deaths

  • Saskatchewan

    230 Deaths

  • Alberta

    1,144 Deaths

  • Yukon

    6 Deaths

  • Northwest Territories

    3 Deaths

  • Quebec

    547 Deaths

    Quebec data includes deaths related to all illicit drugs not just opiods.

  • British Columbia

    1,738 Deaths

    British Columbia data includes deaths related to all illicit drugs not just opiods.
Suppressed – Data may be suppressed in provinces or territories with low numbers of cases.
Not available – Data were not available at the time of this publication.
Source: Opioid- and Stimulant-related Harms in Canada

Fentanyl

This photo shows the average lethal doses for fentanyl (2 milligrams) and carfentanil.
Illicit fentanyl and its analogues are found in 87% of drug deaths in BC.
Sources: Coroners Service – Illicit Drug Toxicity Deaths in BC
US DEA – Facts About Fentanyl
30433

Drug Possession Arrests in 2020*

This figure is excluding marijuana
These arrests lead to increased fear and stigmatization for PWUDs.
They also coerce their behavior and dis-incent medical treatment and harm reduction measures.
Source: Statistics Canada

Portugal Decriminalized in 2001

So we now have a full working example of the benefits of decrimilization

Following drug decriminalization in Portugal in 2001, death rates and drug-related crime rates have fallen. Drug use rates are now amongst the lowest in the European Union.

In the first five years after the reforms, drug deaths dropped dramatically. They rose slightly in the following years, before returning to 2005 levels in 2011, with only 10 drug overdose deaths recorded in that year. Since 2011, drug deaths have risen again but remain below 2001 levels (when there were 76 recorded deaths).

  • Drug-related deaths have remained below the EU average since 2001
  • The proportion of prisoners sentenced for drugs has fallen from 40% to 15%
  • Rates of drug use have remained consistently below the EU average
More about Portugal
Source: Transform Drug Policy Foundation
  • Drug-related deaths have remained below the EU average since 2001
  • The proportion of prisoners sentenced for drugs has fallen from 40% to 15%
  • Rates of drug use have remained consistently below the EU average

Public Support For Decrimlization

Canada is ready for change
48 %
of Canada
48 %
of Ontario
50 %
of Quebec
56 %
of British Columbia

Source: Angus Reid Institute

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