The BC government has announced that its drug decriminalization pilot program will be ending as of January 31st.
In January 2023, BC passed legislation aimed at taking a harm reduction approach to end substance-use stigma by decriminalizing small amounts of illicit drugs.
The thought behind this was that criminalization of those using illicit drugs pushes them to use alone, which can be fatal if an overdose occurs.
To enact this three-year pilot, the Province had to obtain an exemption from Health Canada to not criminalize those who possess a small amount of some illicit drugs under the the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
The pilot program was endorsed by advocates, service providers, police and members of the legislative assembly.
Now, however, the program is set to end.
“The intention was clear: to make it easier for people struggling with addiction to reach out for help without fear of being criminalized,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health.
“Despite the hard work and good intentions behind the pilot, it has not delivered the results we hoped for. For that reason, we will not be asking the federal government to renew the exemption.”
The BC government has been attempting to mitigate the number of toxic drug deaths since 2016, when a public health emergency was declared regarding the issue.
Since then, more than 17,700 deaths have been attributed to drug poisoning, or overdose, by the BC Coroners Service.
In 2022, just before the decriminalization was enacted, 2,380 died of toxic drug use. The following year saw an increase to 2,589 deaths, but then the death toll dropped down to 2,310 in 2024.
Though 2025’s data is not yet complete, 1,538 deaths were attributed to toxic drug use, as of the end of October.
Osborne continued by saying that the Province will still make moves to mitigate the number of toxic drug deaths, but will focus efforts more on aiding people in getting timely recovery care.
“Our priority is, and always has been, to make sure people can get help when and where they need it,” she continued.
“We continue to believe that addiction is a health issue, not a criminal justice issue.”
Osborne says that the BC government is working on implementing more prevention, treatment and recovery, harm reduction and after-care initiatives.
This includes opening new recovery beds in communities that need them most to reduce wait times.
She added that the Province is encouraging police to focus their efforts on the people who make and traffic toxic drugs rather than those who are suffering from addiction.
“People struggling with addiction are our friends, our family members and our neighbours,” said Osborne.
“As the toxic-drug crisis continues to evolve, our response must evolve with it.”
Osborne concluded her media statement by stating that the Province will be trying new approaches to turn the tide on this crisis while attempting to reduce fear, stigma or judgment.
In a separate media release, the BC government announced the expansion of an already established addictions phone line to aid those in need.
This phone line aims to help substance-users gain access to clinical assessment, detox/recovery bed placement and opioid agonist therapy.
In 2025, the Province committed $550 million to helping those with substance and mental health issues with another $500 million coming in 2026.
Dwayne McDonald, deputy commissioner and commanding officer, BC RCMP agreed that substance use is a health issue.
“Police will continue to apply a measured approach to our enforcement efforts, while upholding the safety and security of the communities we live and serve in,” said McDonald.
“We also remain committed to working with our partners to find solutions that ensure those with mental-health and addiction issues receive immediate and ongoing assistance.”
BC Conservatives’ opinion
It is, and has been, the opinion of the BC Conservatives that drug decriminalization was a “failed experiment.”
Claire Rattée, MLA for Skeena, and critic for mental health, addictions and housing supports says that drug decriminalization has negatively impacted our downtowns, communities and schools.
“British Columbians deserve clarity on how the government will address this crisis moving forward. However, all that was announced today was the expansion of a phone line,” stated Rattée.
The BC Conservatives did not comment on alternative drug policies that would have been more impactful in their release.
BC Greens’ opinion
The BC Green Party says that the drug decriminalization program was set up to fail.
“Today, the Minister of Health announced they would not be renewing the decriminalization pilot project in the province. In lieu of that, the Minister announced an addictions phone line,” said Jeremy Valeriote, MLA for West Vancouver-Sea to Sky.
“While any added support is welcome, equating decriminalization and a phone line in tackling a public health crisis is deeply irresponsible.”
Valeriote says that he believes drug policy must move forward, not regress.
With approximately five people dying every day from the toxic drug crisis in BC, the Greens are criticizing the NDP-led government for backing away from evidence-informed policy that was supported by many.“
If destigmatization was the government’s only measure of success, then the pilot failed—not because of the policy itself, but because the government failed to do the necessary public education,” Valeriote continued.
According to the BC Greens, people who are worried about being arrested are not the ones who reach out for help.
Valeriote claims that cancelling the pilot is a “knee-jerk reaction” designed to appease the BC Conservatives.
He pointed to an all-party Health Committee that made 37 recommendations in 2022, which included response teams, mental health and addictions specialists and genuine wraparound support.
“This is the direction this province needs to go,” said Valeriote.
“You can’t say decriminalization failed if you never actually tried to make it work. It’s like the government installing one solar panel and claiming clean energy can’t power our province.”
He concluded by saying that the toxic drug public health emergency is being made political when it should be people-centred.
