The province of British Columbia in Canada on Tuesday decriminalized the possession of small amounts of hard drugs such as cocaine and heroin in a pilot project that will run until 2026.
According to AFP, cited by France24, adults caught with up to 2.5 grams of these drugs will receive information about drug treatment programs instead of being arrested or fined. Drug dealers will continue to be prosecuted.
The sale of drugs also remains illegal, as does the possession of these drugs in schools, kindergartens and airports.
Authorities hope the policy change will remove the drug-related stigma that prevents people from seeking help.
There have been over 10,000 overdose deaths since the province declared the drug a public health emergency in 2016.
Author: morning Post
Source: CM Jornal
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