British Columbia Ends Three-Year Drug Decriminalization Pilot Program

B.C. Halts Decriminalization Pilot Amid Unmet Expectations

British Columbia will officially conclude its three-year drug decriminalization pilot program on January 31, 2026. Health Minister Josie Osborne announced that the province will not seek an extension of the federal exemption that allowed the program to operate, stating that the pilot 'hasn't delivered the results that we hoped for.'

The program, which commenced on January 31, 2023, was initially implemented with the goal of reducing the stigma associated with drug use and encouraging individuals struggling with addiction to seek help without fear of criminal prosecution. It permitted adults to possess up to 2.5 grams cumulatively of certain illicit substances, including opioids, crack and powdered cocaine, methamphetamine, and MDMA, for personal use.

Challenges and Public Safety Concerns Led to Reversal

Despite its initial intentions, the pilot program encountered significant challenges, particularly concerning public drug use. Premier David Eby acknowledged that the policy was 'wrong' and led to 'unhappy consequences,' describing it as a 'permissive structure' that inadvertently encouraged drug use in public spaces. Concerns from municipalities, law enforcement, and the public grew over visible drug consumption in areas such as playgrounds, hospitals, and public transit, contributing to feelings of public disorder and insecurity.

In response to these issues, the exemption was amended in May 2024 to restrict possession to private residences, designated health-care clinics, overdose prevention sites, drug checking sites, and places where unhoused individuals were legally sheltering. Public drug use was subsequently recriminalized. Data also indicated that drug deaths initially continued to rise after decriminalization, reaching a record 2,589 in 2023.

Government's Future Approach to Addiction

With the pilot program ending, the British Columbia government stated its commitment to strengthening a comprehensive system of mental health and addictions care. This approach will encompass:

• Prevention services
• Treatment and recovery programs
• Harm reduction initiatives
• Aftercare support

Health Minister Osborne emphasized that while the program is ending, the province continues to view addiction as a health issue, not a criminal justice issue. Law enforcement, including the BC RCMP, will now be able to fully enforce the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, with a renewed focus on targeting those involved in the production and trafficking of toxic drugs. However, possession of small amounts of illicit drugs will remain decriminalized in private residences and certain health-care settings, and supervised consumption and drug checking sites will continue to operate under existing exemptions.