Oppo

When B.C. decriminalized small amounts of drugs in January 2023, it was seen as a promising weapon in the battle against the drug crisis. In May, B.C. walked that policy back, saying it caused disorder in the streets.In a similar move, Toronto tried decriminalizing, but the feds quickly shot down their attempt. So what gives? Was this year-long experiment a disaster? Was it not given enough time to flourish? To find out, Mattea Roach asked professor Gillian Kolla, journalist Andrea Woo, and former drug user and advocate Guy Felicella.Host:  Mattea RoachCredits: Noor Azrieh (Producer), Sam Konnert (Producer), Caleb Thompson (Audio Editor), Karyn Pugliese (Editor-in-Chief)Guests: Guy Felicella, Andrea Woo, Gillian KollaBackground reading:#36 Is Canada Ready to Decriminalize Drugs?  – The BackbenchDetox beds in B.C. routinely sit empty because of staff shortages – The Globe and MailOpinion: Backtracking on drug decriminalization is politically cowardly – and illogical – The Globe and MailBritish C