Dispelling myths about decriminalization
<p><strong>Your City Council has taken steps to address the opioid epidemic at a municipal level, but we cannot solve the problem alone.</strong> I have advocated to the provincial and federal government to fund many proven treatments and harm-reduction measures like safe consumption sites, safe supply, mental health supports, treatment and recovery services, and <a href="https://medium.com/mayorsohi/permanent-supportive-housing-saves-money-and-lives-39f9ac9b2f1" rel="noopener">supportive housing</a> to address the systemic factors that push folks towards substance use. Edmonton cannot do this work alone. We need our partners in the provincial and federal governments to work with us and provide resources to address this crisis.</p>
<p>One of the possible interventions under federal control is to grant the whole city a <a href="https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/health-concerns/controlled-substances-precursor-chemicals/policy-regulations/policy-documents/section-56-1-class-exemption-patients-pharmacists-practitioners-controlled-substances-covid-19-pandemic.html" rel="noopener ugc nofollow" target="_blank">section 56(1) exemption to the <em>Controlled Drugs and Substances Ac</em>t</a>. This exemption would decriminalize simple personal possession (excluding trafficking) of illicit substances in our city. But what does that mean? And what do the timeline and next steps look like for that process?</p>
<p><a href="https://medium.com/mayorsohi/dispelling-myths-about-decriminalization-490a666432dd"><strong>Learn More</strong></a></p>