The local public health board wants local partners on board before calling on upper governments for decriminalization of drug possession for personal use.
A staff report to a meeting of the Hastings Prince Edward Board of Health on Wednesday showed that last year, in 2021, more than 40 people died in suspected drug-related deaths in the region.
The report indicated progress in Portugal after decriminalization of the drug use.
It pointed to other provinces such as British Columbia that plan to decriminalize drug use in January of 2023.
Clinical Services Program Manager Stephanie McFaul reported on suspected drug-related deaths in the region.
“We want to ensure we address their addictions and their use of drugs as a health issue and support them where they’re at. So taking this forward to our community is the right step to move us forward.”
The decision to involve more community partners was welcomed by McFaul.
She added, “We have community members who need to be consulted and want to be a part of the process. This is a long term solution. It’s not something that we’re going to resolve and get actioned immediately, but the crucial component of involving our community members and making it a solid recommendation and process is going to be critical to our success.”
