Thank you.
Distinguished members of this committee, I'm pleased to have the opportunity to address you today on this very important issue.
It's important to begin by noting that law enforcement agencies across the country acknowledge that the opioid crisis is a public health issue. While police have a critical role to play in terms of preventing illicit drug distribution, curbing supply and safeguarding communities, we recognize and understand the need for a comprehensive approach that addresses the social determinants of health. This requires coordinated efforts across government, health care, the justice system, police and community organizations.
In July 2020, the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police called for a broad societal response that includes prevention, education, support systems and access to treatment for those affected by drugs. We also supported the decriminalization of simple possession of illicit drugs as an effective way to reduce the stigma of substance use disorders, reduce public health and safety harms and divert individuals with substance use disorders away from the criminal justice system.
As you heard from my fellow co-chair of the CACP drug advisory committee, Deputy Chief Fiona Wilson, our early experience with formal decriminalization for simple possession of illicit drugs has had some unintended but not completely unexpected consequences.
Preliminary results of this pilot project have proven what police leaders have stated from the beginning: Decriminalization of drugs for personal use is only one part of a system and has to be part of an integrated, health-focused approach to addressing the opioid crisis and toxic drug supply.
Today the CACP reaffirms its commitment to a health-centred approach to the drug issue and reaffirms that addressing the opioid crisis includes the decriminalization of possession of illicit drugs.
In the past four years, important procedural and legal reforms, as well as training, have been implemented. These have led to a significant shift in police and public perception about substance use disorders, as well as a decline in simple possession charges, thereby reserving criminal sanctions for the most serious circumstances.
Decriminalization is about preventing the unwanted criminalization of personal substance use, creating a continuum of care to ensure that persons who use drugs are better connected with health supports and, finally, third, allowing the police to focus on serious illicit drug trafficking and production offences.
The pilot project implemented in British Columbia succeeded in achieving the first goal, which is procedurally and fiscally easy to attain.
Creating a continuum of care is much more challenging, as well as resource-intensive, but the successful achievement of goal number one depends on the successful implementation of actions to support the achievement of goals two and three.
From a police perspective and as police leaders, we see the critical importance of having the appropriate health and social structures in place before proceeding with changes to the legislative framework that would formalize the decriminalization of simple possession.
In conclusion, from a public safety perspective, Canada's police leaders believe that the success of any strategy in relation to the ongoing crisis of toxic drug supply should be measured based on its ability to improve health outcomes, reduce the impact of organized crime and address the property crimes and public safety issues that result from unaddressed substance use disorders.
The CACP believes that any strategy that is considered must be medically led and based on empirical medical research, and must provide increased health connections with medical professionals for people living with substance use problems.
Thank you.