Decriminalizing Hard Drugs May Not Be Such a Good Idea

A man stops to read a mural about the fentanyl and opioid overdose crisis, in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, in a file photo. Darryl Dyck/The Canadian Press

Commentary

Canada’s chief health officer, Dr. Theresa Tam, contended on June 21 that, as part of addressing the opioid crisis, talks are needed on decriminalizing hard drugs. Following Tam’s remarks, federal Health Minister Patty Hajdu said that while decriminalization is not a “silver bullet” solution, it is something the government is deliberating.