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Canadian Public Health Association

In the news


2018

Treatment, not incarceration, the answer for drug use: Orillia parent

July 27, 2018

The Simcoe Muskoka District Board of Health recently endorsed recommendations by the Canadian Public Health Association to decriminalize possession of small quantities of illegal psychoactive substances — a category that includes opioids and hallucinogens.

Le maire de Windsor ne veut pas promouvoir la décriminalisation des drogues

July 25, 2018

L'Association canadienne de santé publique (ACSP) appelle les municipalités à mettre plus de pression sur le gouvernement fédéral pour que la possession personnelle de drogues soit décriminalisée, mais le maire de Windsor n'est pas ouvert à cette idée.

Health policy reform group wants drug use decriminalized, mayor Dilkens says no

July 25, 2018

The Canadian Public Health Association (CPHA) is calling on municipalities to pressure the federal government to decriminalize the possession of any illicit drug for personal use — but Windsor's mayor isn't open to the idea. The organization is based in Ottawa and it advocates for health policy reforms. Its executive director, Ian Culbert, said treating drug addicts like criminals hasn't deterred drug abuse, but rather it has made it worse.

Is It Time to Decriminalize All Drug Use? Millroy Weighs In

July 20, 2018

As Dr. Marlene Spruyt, Algoma’s medical officer of health, told The Sault Star, such a position has been shared by the Canadian Public Health Association and Centre for Addiction and Mental Health for some time.

Montréal devrait-elle réclamer à son tour la décriminalisation des drogues dures?

July 18, 2018

Des intervenants en dépendance croient que la métropole devrait emboîter le pas à Toronto, qui a sommé cette semaine le gouvernement fédéral de décriminaliser les drogues dures. [...] La plus grande ville au pays espère ainsi créer un mouvement à travers le Canada pour faire changer d’idée le gouvernement Trudeau. Toronto a depuis été appuyée par l’Association canadienne de santé publique [...]

Decriminalizing drugs 'worthy of dialogue' WRPS Chief Bryan Larkin says

July 18, 2018

CPHA executive director Ian Culbert said in a release there is evidence being arrested and put in jail does not deter people from using illegal drugs. "Before more lives are lost to drug use, the federal government should migrate to a public health approach to manage all psychoactive substances," Culbert said.

Canada could decriminalize personal drug possession — but here’s why it’s unlikely

July 18, 2018

Last fall, the Canadian Public Health Association released a position statement making it clear that current attempts to curtail Canadian drug consumption aren’t working and alternative approaches are needed. The association is advocating for the decriminalization of possession of small quantities of drugs as well as the sale and trafficking of small quantities by young offenders. It called on the government to provide amnesty to those who’ve previously been convicted for such offences.

Kingston-area health officials support drug decriminalization for personal use

July 17, 2018

Local health officials are looking at some bold recommendations from the Canadian Public Health Association to fight the growing opioid crisis. The chief medical officer for Muskoka-Simcoe has already endorsed a controversial proposal to decriminalize the personal use of psycho-active substances such as cocaine, crystal meth and heroin. Some experts say that would allow them to focus their resources on addiction and treatment instead of enforcement.

L’Association canadienne de santé publique appuie Toronto

July 17, 2018

L’Association canadienne de santé publique (ACSP) a joint sa voix à celle de la Ville de Toronto, mardi, afin d’exhorter le gouvernement fédéral à décriminaliser toutes les drogues.

Time has come to decriminalize psychoactive drugs: board of health

July 13, 2018

Local public health officials have added their voice to a growing list of communities in the push to decriminalize personal use of psychoactive drugs. The Simcoe Muskoka Board of Health endorsed a statement by the Canadian Public Health Association (CPHA) at is June meeting. The CPHA has recommended decriminalizing possession of small quantities of illegal substances intended for personal use, as well as ensuring young offenders aren’t charged with trafficking small amounts of drugs also intended for personal use.