Chapter Three: Alternate Approaches and The Future of Toronto Drug Policy
A Public Health Approach
This video outlines some of the faults in Canada's current prohibitive approach to addressing drug use. This includes the racist roots of Canada's early drug policy and how this systemic racism continues to be felt by marginalized Canadians. However, the main point being made is that a criminalization of drugs does not have to be the only way forward. By taking a public health approach backed by evidence rather than prejudice, more efficient, equitable, and healthy outcomes become possible in our communities.
Toronto's Model of Decriminalization
The Toronto Model of Decriminalization includes changing criminal charges for personal use to voluntary referrals to health and social supports.
It also creates an exemption to Section 4(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act which prohibits simple possession of drugs. This exemption would allow for possession for personal use while keeping trafficking and production illegal. It would apply all across the City of Toronto with exceptions of schools, airports and childcare facilities and would apply for all Torontonians including youth under 18. (Toronto Public Health, 2023).
The long response time compared to B.C has been concerning for the people of Toronto. This is because the criminalization of drugs and stigma associated with drug use will continue to be discouraged from seeking the support of harm reduction services and support. (Toronto Public Health, 2023).
Special Considerations:
The original draft of the decriminalization model did not include youth, it was updated in 2023 to include their recognition.
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In 2019, one in five Toronto high school students reported using one or more of the following drugs in the past 12 months: heroin, fentanyl, ecstasy (MDMA), prescription opioids, cocaine, and methamphetamine.
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There were eight accidental opioid toxicity deaths in the 12-17 age group from 2019-2021 in Toronto
Why?
African, Caribbean, and Black communities are critical to the social and economic fabric and development of the city. But they are also disproportionately impacted by the criminalization of drugs. Toronto Public Health recognizes this and has released an evidence-based report about the disproportionate effects drug criminalization has on these communities. Click the Review below to learn more!
Limits of Decriminalization in Isolation
The proposal highlights the importance of decriminalization, however, it also recognizes that on its own will not be enough. That is why Public Health requests for the federal and provincial government to provide funding that would go to substance use, mental health, and harm reduction resources to improve the health and wellbeing of drug users in Toronto (Toronto Public Health, 2023).
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Decriminalization alone cannot make the street supply any safer but it can remove barriers to access to services that save lives through preventing overdoses. Both the city and advocates agree that decriminalization alone cannot solve the opioid crisis there is a great need for a combination of social services, safer drug supply, and other harm reduction efforts such as supervised consumption sites. (Toronto Public Health, 2023).
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Safe Supply in Toronto
One method is 'prescribed safer supply' which refers to regulated drugs that are known and tested to be safe in content and dosage. It can provide the same experience as illegal drugs, without the same higher level of harm. (National Safer Supply, 2023).
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An estimated 5% of the world's adult population use illegal drugs with 90% of users using occasionally or recreationally. That population of people needs access to a safer supply to avoid overdoses and other drug toxicity complications - this can be provided by a prescribed safer supply program (National Safer Supply, 2023).