People who use drugs’ prioritization of regulation amid decriminalization reforms in British Columbia, Canada: A qualitative study

Original research
by
Xavier, Jessica et al

Release Date

2024

Geography

Canada

Language of Resource

English

Full Text Available

No

Open Access / OK to Reproduce

No

Peer Reviewed

Yes

Objective

We conducted a qualitative study to understand people who use drugs’ (PWUD) perceptions of the new decriminalization policy, immediately prior to its’ implementation (October-December 2022)

Findings/Key points

From our data it became clear that many anticipated that decriminalization would have minimal or no impact on the overdose crisis. Regulation was perceived as the necessary policy approach for effectively and candidly addressing the drivers of the ongoing overdose crisis. These findings are important as jurisdictions consider different approaches to moving away from prohibition-based drug policy.

Design/methods

Interviews across all geographic health authorities in BC

Keywords

Decriminalization/legalization
Policy/Regulatory
About PWUD