Vancouver sends drug decriminalization pitch to Health Canada for federal review

The City of Vancouver says it has submitted its final proposal for decriminalization of simple possession of drugs to Health Canada, making it the first jurisdiction in the country to apply for such an exemption for federal drug laws.

The city says in a statement the so-called ``Vancouver Model'' proposes personal possession threshold levels for 15 common substances and would lead to a dramatic reduction in seizure by police.

The news comes the same day the BC Coroners' Service said 176 British Columbians died from toxic illicit drugs in April, bringing the total number of deaths this year to 680.

Vancouver's decriminalization pitch has faced criticism from drug users who say the proposed possession thresholds are too low and their input hasn't been taken seriously.

Board members of the Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users have said the thresholds will increase users' interactions with both drug dealers and police, and could prompt producers to make even stronger and more dangerous drugs.

Ted Bruce, public health consultant for the city, said the proposed thresholds in the submission are only a starting point.