The Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police (CACP) is calling to decriminalize the possession of illicit drugs for personal use.
The CACP is pushing for a health-based model, so instead of police recommending or laying criminal charges, they would work with community partners to make sure drug users are given proper, timely access to health, social and treatment services.
The change would allow law enforcement agencies to focus on drug trafficking, production and importation, while shifting the role of frontline police officers to harm reduction when they interact with people that have addiction or mental health issues.
The CACP is also calling for the formation of a national task force to research drug policy reform.
CACP President and Vancouver Police Chief Adam Palmer says“[Decriminalization] can involve noncriminal responses such as fines and warnings for designated activities such as the possession of small quantities of a controlled substance, but most importantly, it can involve a healthcare approach that diverts people from the criminal justice system.”
He added, “Being addicted to a controlled substance is not a crime and should not be treated as such.”
Today, we released our report endorsing the decriminalization for simple possession of illicit drugs. / Aujourd'hui, nous avons publié notre rapport qui appui la décriminalisation pour simple possession de drogues illicites. https://t.co/joGw3A4exr pic.twitter.com/xD4sfg31lZ
— CACP / ACCP (@CACP_ACCP) July 9, 2020