Advocates say planned legislation could ban drug consumption in B.C.’s public spaces

Advocates and people who use drugs in Vancouver are speaking out against B.C.’s upcoming new drug use laws — which they say would ban consumption in public places.

At a news conference Wednesday afternoon, organizers with the Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users (VANDU) say the government is working against its own decriminalization policies.

“They are considering legislation around banning public consumption of illicit drugs. This is only eight months after the decriminalization pilot project began this January, and we’re seeing harm reduction being rolled back, and this is an indication that the BC NDP and the province are backtracking on their commitment to the safety and the lives of drug users. It’s very dangerous, and very deadly legislation,” VANDU Community Organizer Vince Tao explained.

“We’re being set up to fail and to die. We’re not given the choice. We’re not given choices to use inside and now they’re banning outdoor use. There’s nowhere for people to go!”

In January, Health Canada exempted B.C. from the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act — allowing possession of small amounts of drugs as part of a three-year pilot project.

But in September, Health Canada let B.C. change the project to ban possession in playgrounds and other child community spaces.

Now, advocates say the province is about to take things further and ban consumption everywhere, which they say would mostly affect unhoused poor people.

“We can’t use outside. If we have nowhere to use, we can’t use in [overdose prevention sites] that are designed for IV users. Where are we supposed to go?” BC Association of People on Opioid Maintenance Vice-President Reija Rose asked.

Related articles:

• More overdose prevention services needed for people who smoke illicit drugs: B.C. coroner

• 174 toxic drug deaths reported in August: BC Coroners Service

• BC United calls for investigation into Vancouver harm reduction program

VANDU held the conference near a playground while making a point with their new ‘Users Code’ — which calls on drug users to keep paraphernalia away from kids and families in order to be discreet and to be good neighbours.

“Drug users — we are family people. We are warriors, we are survivors, we are people, we are people who love. We love community, and this document is proof of that,” Tao added.

The details of the planned legislation have yet to be released to the public. CityNews has reached out to the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions about the details of the upcoming legislation.