Author: Lauren Anthony Author Origin Country: Canada
Photo credit: Chad Hipolito (1).
A critical issue in society is drug dependence or addiction, which affects the lives of many people and nations globally. Different governments may respond to this issue through drug use and possession criminalization, although this approach presents consequences or challenges, such as difficulties for individuals to find work after drug-related arrests, that may disproportionately impact lower-income and racialized peoples. To address criminalization’s challenges, one possible approach that may be considered by various governments is decriminalization. Decriminalization has been recently implemented in British Columbia, Canada. In evaluating the decriminalization approach, it is important to consider both possible positive and negative impacts. Proponents of decriminalization may make different arguments, including that decriminalization may enable reduced stigma or barriers to treatment or supports among individuals with drug dependency issues. However, it is further significant for governments to consider the concerns presented by opponents of decriminalization when deciding upon implementing decriminalization, such as potential insufficient existing services or supports for those with substance dependency issues.
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