[ad_1]
City Council Should Urge Federal Government to Decriminalize Possession of All Personal-Use Medications While Increasing Harm Reduction Efforts, Toronto Public Health Recommends
This recommendation is a result of a public consultation process . I believe that the current approach to drug treatment is effective – particularly with respect to opioid overdose deaths that are at record levels in Canada.
Dr. Eileen de Villa, Toronto's Medical Officer of Health, said in a statement that the criminalization of those who use drugs is compounding the problem
The situation remains urgent and too many people are still dying. – Dr. Eileen de Villa, Medical Officer of Health, Toronto
"It forces people to adopt dangerous drug use practices and creates barriers to seeking help", a- she declared in a press release
. overdose deaths in Toronto. This represents an increase of 121% over 2015.
The city has responded by opening several supervised injection sites, but many of those working with drug users warn that it is not sufficient. De Villa's report seems to be in agreement
"Although a lot of work has been done, the situation remains urgent and too many people are still dying," she said in a statement.
"That's why I'm asking the federal government to"
Toronto Public Health also recommends that the federal government create a task force – which would include all stakeholders, from drug addicts to legal experts to health professionals – to review the legal regulation of all drugs 19659002] The city's health council is expected to vote on this subject next Monday.
Source link
