BC Pares Back Decriminalization, Looks to Ban Illicit Drug Use in More Public Spaces

A woman prepares to smoke a cigarette in an alley after using illicit drugs at an outdoor supervised consumption site in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, on May 27, 2021. The Canadian Press/Darryl Dyck

The B.C. government is tabling legislation that will ban illicit drug use in public spaces, including playgrounds, skateparks, beaches, parks, and more, just 10 months after it initiated a pilot program that decriminalizes small amounts of illegal substances. 

“The toxic drug crisis has taken too many lives, too soon. That’s why we’re doing everything we can to save lives and help people struggling with addiction get treatment,” said Premier David Eby in a news release.