Burton On BC ‘s Flip Pop On Drug Decriminalization

A brief observation, the drug decriminalization in British Colombia is, I sincerely believe, a well intended “experiment”, by naive and idealistic folks, gone off the rails big time.

The drug decriminalization and safe supply experiment appears, by virtually all measures, to be an abysmal failure. That is:

1. Instead of less deaths there are more;

2. Instead of less hospitalizations there are more;

3. Instead of less EMT interventions there are more;

4. Instead of less youth victims there are more;

5. Instead of less displays of public arena injections there are more;

6. Instead of the “safe supply” being used as intended, it is, too often sold on the black market;

7. Instead of the “safe supply and decriminalization” aiding medical workers, it is exposing them to more injury and abuse ;

8. Instead of policing be allowed to curb drug use, tying their hands has only served to amplify the drug and overdose problem;

9. Instead of the federal government and the courts staying in their own lane, they have inserted themselves into provincial and municipal jurisdiction areas;

10. Instead of all admitting, like Oregon just did, that the experiment has failed, too many federal and provincial politicians have buried their heads in the sand and deny that which is clearly in front of their face.

And, anyone, no matter their background, education, experience and qualifications, who expects “irrational drug users” to do an about face and become rational “safe supply drug users,” lives in a world of illusion and delusion. 

Decriminalization and safe supply drugs does nothing to address the underlying cause(s) of an addict’s drug use. If I may, it is akin to trying to put an illegal fire out by declaring it legal and providing “state” gasoline as the alternative fuel supply. 

Finally, we have a drug and overdose crisis in Canada where 8000-10,000 of our fellow Canadians die every year. Using British Colombia population statistics, here is a list, not all inclusive, of a town’s population killed each year in Canada by overdoses.

The million dollar question, would we sit on our hands and allow any of these town’s populations to be killed annually—I think not!!!

1. Castlegar

2. Whistler

3. Summerland

4. Gibsons

5. Sechelt

6. Revelstoke

7. Shawnigan-Mill Bay (plus 2700)

8. Kitimat (plus 3200)

9. Oliver (plus 4300)

10. Fernie (plus 4500)

11. Creston (plus 4500)

12. Armstrong (plus 5600)

The list could go on and on and on, but the point is we are, across Canada, wiping out, through drug overdose deaths, the equivalent populations plus of each of these towns. 

Food for thought.

Terry Burton is a retired Canadian Businessman