B.C. seeks ban on public drug use, dialing back decriminalization

The B.C. NDP has asked the federal government to recriminalize public drug use, marking a major shift in the province's approach to addressing the deadly overdose crisis.

The B.C. NDP has asked the federal government to recriminalize public drug use, marking a major shift in the province's approach to addressing the deadly overdose crisis.

Officials requested the update to B.C.'s exemption to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act on Friday, seeking increased power for police to crack down on drug consumption almost anywhere in public – including in parks and on buses.

Speaking at a news conference, Premier David Eby stressed that the goal of the province's decriminalization pilot – to reduce stigma around drug use and encourage people with substance abuse issues to seek help – remains a priority for his government, despite the dramatically dialed back approach.

"Our goal was to save lives," Eby said. "But that compassion, that concern for people who are struggling does not mean anything goes."

The premier said he has already discussed the request with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, and that he was assured the federal government will support the changes.

B.C. residents will still be allowed to possess small amounts of hard drugs, and there will be exceptions allowing people to use illicit substances in private homes, legal shelters and overdose prevention sites.

But police would be able to force drug users to leave public areas – and also to seize their drugs and arrest them, at the officers' discretion.