Kamloops advocate doesn’t see decriminalization making a significant impact on toxic death crisis

KAMLOOPS — The decision to decriminalize small amounts of drugs for personal use took effect Tuesday (Jan. 31) across the province. This measure was enacted to help reduce barriers and stigma that prevent people from accessing care for addiction.

For the next three years, people found to be in possession of up to 2.5 grams of certain narcotics won’t be charged with a crime.

For Troylana Manson, advocate with Moms Stop the Harm, the move is a positive one.

“It’s going to help the stigma — a little part,” Manson tells CFJC Today. “As well as it’s going to help with the criminalization of people who are trying to get places to rent, and get jobs.”

However, Manson says decriminalization would not have helped prevent her son Aaron’s death nearly two years ago, as well as more than 11,000 others who have died since 2016 as a result of a toxic drug supply.

“The next step is absolutely safe supply. I know we’re doing these baby steps and it’s very political,” Manson says. “Politicians are having a hard time being brave and doing what’s right, rather than what they’re worried about which is the optics.”