The BC Association of Chiefs of Police (BCACP) says it no longer supports the province’s drug decriminalization pilot project.
“While the BCACP was open to the notion of decriminalization as one potential tool to achieve these goals, recent developments have prompted a re-evaluation of its effectiveness in the current context,” the group said.
“Based on evidence and ongoing evaluation, we no longer view decriminalization as a primary mechanism for addressing the systemic challenges associated with substance use.”
The police chiefs are calling for more investments in health care and solutions that “balance public safety with public health” to combat the crisis.
But Kora DeBeck, a professor at SFU’s School of Public Policy, says the chiefs are conflating the effects of decriminalization with street disorder.
“It’s frustrating from a research perspective, from a perspective of looking at data and making informed decisions, that law enforcement and some aspects of government have put these two together, because it’s certainly not supported by data,” DeBeck said.
“I also really question the evidence that they’re looking to to support that claim.”
She says other factors are behind the suffering seen on the streets, including “a housing crisis and financial crisis for many people, and a real lack of services for people who use drugs, an incredibly toxic drug supply as well.”
DeBeck says decriminalization was intended to minimize the harms of constant police contact with people who use small amounts of drugs, and the data she’s been reviewing shows that it’s worked so far.
“I’m not aware of any evidence that has shown that decriminalization was not working.”
The BCACP says it stands in alignment with the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police on this issue.