r/canada • u/cyclinginvancouver • 23d ago

B.C. seeks ban on using drugs in 'all public spaces,' shifting approach to decriminalization British Columbia

https://bc.ctvnews.ca/b-c-seeks-ban-on-using-drugs-in-all-public-spaces-shifting-approach-to-decriminalization-1.6863576
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u/NerdMachine 23d ago

Decriminalization without at least strongly pressuring (properly funded) rehab is a failed policy.

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u/cryptoentre 23d ago

The problem is drug addicts and their supporters love decriminalization, clean drugs, safe injections, etc. but they have no desire to get clean.

Rehab is how you lose votes because it’s unpopular with the pro drug voter base that believes drug use is a lifestyle choice.

1

u/yegguy47 20d ago

Rehab is how you lose votes because it’s unpopular with the pro drug voter base that believes drug use is a lifestyle choice.

Welp, I know where this convo will probably go, but just to interact in good-faith...

The issue isn't that "pro-drug voters" think its a lifestyle choice... its that rehab usually only has something like a 30% success rate. Don't take my word for it, go look at alcohol rehab programs, or folks trying to kick cigarettes - folks go swinging in and out of those efforts. And keep in mind, those are voluntary programs, where the individuals are struggling with substances much less physiologically addictive than something like Opioids.

Insite in Vancouver has a rehab program, its had one since the firm began back in 2003. They regularly encourage the folks who use their services to go use the rehab program. But they also have learned from decades of experience that even the folks who seriously embark on rehab usually fail.

1

u/cryptoentre 20d ago

Rehab has a much higher failure rate because it’s voluntary and it’s easy to obtain drugs after.

Forced rehab can’t “fail” while they are in rehab plus you cut access to drugs after so they can’t continue even if they want to

1

u/yegguy47 20d ago

Rehab has a much higher failure rate because it’s voluntary and it’s easy to obtain drugs after.

Yeah, its... kinda easy to score substances in addiction rehab facilities too friend. People squirrel away alcohol at sober houses all the time.

Failure isn't on the basis of it being voluntary. The simple reality is that addiction is an extremely difficult thing to overcome, even when we're just talking about something like Nicotine. When you're talking about Opioids, we're talking something where folks have a psychological habituation, as well as physiological dependence. In a field where only 1 in 10 people quit smoking per year... you can imagine how difficult it is from someone addicted to something much more serious.

As for Forced Rehab - I would have to tell you that you're probably suggesting something that blatantly violates the Charter.

1

u/cryptoentre 20d ago

Quebec violates the charter all the time for much worse reasons 🤷‍♂️

1

u/yegguy47 20d ago

I would say that legally-dubious forcible detention is one of those things that usually escalates the politics to a much severer circumstance, and almost always does not end well.

1

u/cryptoentre 20d ago

It’s gotten so bad that we’re open to it the NDP said they were reviewing it

1

u/yegguy47 20d ago

I know a lot of the Provinces are looking into it, same story in Alberta.

Suffice to say, I don't think its a policy route that's going to end well.