UBCM and the BC Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions (MMHA) are pleased to extend a call for expressions of interest for local government staff to join a working group on the role of local governments in supporting BC’s plan to decriminalize people who use drugs. Interested staff can submit their names and biography to UBCM by September 16.
In November 2021 MMHA submitted a request to Health Canada for a section 56 exemption to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) to decriminalize small amounts of illicit substances for personal use. Health Canada approved the request on May 31st, 2022. The Province is currently undertaking a range of planning and engagement activities to support its efforts to bring decriminalization into force in BC on January 31, 2023. MMHA and UBCM are convening a monthly working group starting in late September, with the goals of ensuring that local governments are able to provide feedback regarding planning efforts and identify local strategies to help make decriminalization a success.
UBCM and MMHA are looking for local government staff to participate in the working group. Efforts will be made to select staff from local governments across BC, including from small, medium, and large urban communities. It is anticipated that the time commitment for members would be 2-4 hours a month, including meetings, reviewing supplementary materials, and providing written feedback on policies and planning activities.