Skip to Main content

13.44°^C Vancouver

News Entertainment Sports Videos Shows Podcast Contact Us

Jan 17, 2020 5:27 PM -

Federal health minister says too early for broad drug decriminalization

Share On

federal-health-minister-says-too-early-for-broad-drug-decriminalization

Federal Health Minister Patty Hajdu walks through a back alley after visiting the Molson Overdose Prevention Site in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, Thursday, January 16, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Canada's health minister says countries that have taken the step toward decriminalizing drugs have done so with supports in place to protect people struggling with addiction.

Patty Hajdu toured the Molson Overdose Prevention Site in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside yesterday and says talk of decriminalization in order to deal with the opioid crisis in Canada is premature until comprehensive supports are available here.

She says support services vary from province to province and a comprehensive approach includes prevention, treatment, harm reduction, housing and enforcement.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said last month he was not convinced that decriminalizing hard drugs is the solution to the opioid crisis and other options need a chance.

Latest news

quebec-premier-open-to-return-of-u-s-wines-if-trade-gains-are-made

CanadaAug 10, 2026

Quebec premier open to return of U.S. wines if trade gains are made

Quebec Premier Christine Fréchette says the province could allow U.S. wines to return to liquor store shelves, but only if there are gains for Quebec and Canada in ongoing trade discussions with the United States. Fréchette said she wants to see reductions in tariff barriers affecting key Quebec sectors, including forestry, aluminum and manufacturing, before considering a return of American wine products to provincial liquor stores. The Quebec government previously directed the province’s liquor board to stop selling U.S. products in response to tariffs announced by U.S. President Donald T

Merritt closes hiking and biking trails amid wildfire risk

Merritt’s fire chief has ordered the immediate closure of all hiking and biking trails in forested areas under the city’s jurisdiction, citing the risk of human-caused wildfires. Fire Chief David A. Tomkinson said the restriction took effect Monday and will remain in place until Sept. 15. Members of the public are not permitted to enter the affected trails and forested areas during the closure. According to the city, the closure is authorized under its bylaw, which allows the administration to restrict access to areas when necessary to protect public safety and property. Tomkinson said the

Overnight Highway 99 closures planned in Delta for bridge work

Drivers in Delta should expect overnight closures on Highway 99 as crews install new bridge girders for the 78th Street overpass. The closures are scheduled for Monday, Aug. 10, and Tuesday, Aug. 11. Work will begin with lane restrictions before the highway is fully closed in each direction. Southbound lane closures are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m., with a full southbound closure at 8 p.m. Northbound lane closures will begin at 8 p.m., followed by a full northbound closure at 9 p.m. The closures will affect Highway 99 between the Highway 91 and Highway 17 interchanges. The highway is expected

Canadian Armed Forces on standby as B.C. wildfires displace thousands in Okanagan

The Canadian Armed Forces have been placed on standby to assist communities affected by wildfires in British Columbia, as thousands of residents in the Okanagan region have been forced from their homes. Defence Minister David McGuinty said military assistance will be deployed once the B.C. government makes a formal request for troops to operate on the ground. McGuinty said the provincial government submitted a formal request over the weekend through Emergency Management Minister Eleanor Olszewski. Federal assistance has since been approved to help provide accommodation and temporary shelter fo

vancouver-police-seek-public-help-identifying-suspect-in-kitsilano-assault

Vancouver police seek public help identifying suspect in Kitsilano assault

Vancouver police are asking the public to help identify a man accused of assaulting a 73-year-old man in Vancouver’s Kitsilano neighbourhood on July 31. According to Vancouver Police Department, officers were called after the two men became involved in a verbal altercation. Police allege the suspect had been yelling at passersby before the victim approached him and asked him to stop and leave the area. Investigators allege the suspect then pushed the victim to the ground. The 73-year-old suffered head injuries in the incident, police said. Police describe the suspect as a Caucasian man with

Related News

Merritt closes hiking and biking trails amid wildfire risk

Merritt closes hiking and biking trails amid wildfire risk

Merritt’s fire chief has ordered the immediate closure of all hiking and biking trails in forested areas under the city’s jurisdiction, citing the risk of human-caused wildfires. Fire Chief David A. Tomkinson said the restriction took effect Monday and will remain in place until Sept. 15. Members of the public are not permitted to enter the affected trails and forested areas during the closure. According to the city, the closure is authorized under its bylaw, which allows the administration to restrict access to areas when necessary to protect public safety and property. Tomkinson said the

Overnight Highway 99 closures planned in Delta for bridge work

Overnight Highway 99 closures planned in Delta for bridge work

Drivers in Delta should expect overnight closures on Highway 99 as crews install new bridge girders for the 78th Street overpass. The closures are scheduled for Monday, Aug. 10, and Tuesday, Aug. 11. Work will begin with lane restrictions before the highway is fully closed in each direction. Southbound lane closures are scheduled to begin at 7 p.m., with a full southbound closure at 8 p.m. Northbound lane closures will begin at 8 p.m., followed by a full northbound closure at 9 p.m. The closures will affect Highway 99 between the Highway 91 and Highway 17 interchanges. The highway is expected

Canadian Armed Forces on standby as B.C. wildfires displace thousands in Okanagan

Canadian Armed Forces on standby as B.C. wildfires displace thousands in Okanagan

The Canadian Armed Forces have been placed on standby to assist communities affected by wildfires in British Columbia, as thousands of residents in the Okanagan region have been forced from their homes. Defence Minister David McGuinty said military assistance will be deployed once the B.C. government makes a formal request for troops to operate on the ground. McGuinty said the provincial government submitted a formal request over the weekend through Emergency Management Minister Eleanor Olszewski. Federal assistance has since been approved to help provide accommodation and temporary shelter fo

Legals

Journalism code of ethics

© 2021 AKASH Broadcasting Inc.

MANAGED BY STRATWIT

useful links

Accessibility Plan

Broadcasting Notice of Consultation

BC Children's Hospital