The B.C. government has announced it will not renew its drug decriminalization pilot program, saying the initiative did not deliver the results it hoped for in addressing the toxic-drug crisis.
Health Minister Josie Osborne says the crisis continues to cause immense harm across the province, affecting families, communities, first responders and service providers. The pilot, launched in 2023, was designed to reduce stigma and encourage people who use drugs to seek help without fear of criminal charges. Despite broad support and significant effort, Osborne says the program fell short of its goals and the province will not request an extension of the federal exemption.
Osborne emphasized that the decision does not signal a shift away from treating addiction as a health issue. She says the province remains focused on strengthening services that help people access timely and appropriate care. B.C. has expanded treatment and recovery beds, reduced wait times for withdrawal management and continued harm-reduction measures such as Take Home Naloxone and overdose-prevention sites, which the province says have prevented tens of thousands of deaths.
At the same time, the province says police will focus enforcement efforts on those who produce and traffic toxic drugs. The BC RCMP says officers will resume full enforcement of federal drug laws while continuing a measured, safety-focused approach.
The province says it will continue adapting its response as the crisis evolves, with the goal of ensuring people can access care without fear, stigma or judgment.
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