Doubts and disconnection: Police reflections on drug decriminalization in British Columbia in the first year of implementation.

Outcomes and implications of British Columbia's 'drug decriminalization initiative' for health-oriented drug policymaking.

On January 31st 2023, the Canadian province of British Columbia temporarily decriminalized the personal possession of certain illegal drugs up to 2.5 g, cumulatively, for adults. A stated aim of this policy directive was to reduce the stigmatization of people who use drugs and increase access to health and harm reduction services. The aim of this study was to capture the prevalence and nature of potential barriers to such services under drug decriminalization. We employed a mixed-methods study design, triangulating survey data from harm reduction service users in 2022 (n = 503) and 2023 (n = 433) alongside qualitative interviews with people who use drugs in British Columbia (n = 78) collected in 2023. Qualitative and quantitative findings were analysed convergently. Findings across both datasets suggest that reported barriers to health and harm reduction services persisted during British Columbia’s decriminalization pilot. Quantitative and qualitative data reflecting these barriers are presented in parallel under four themes: (1) stigma and fear of substance use disclosure, (2) stigma and access to services, (3) service-specific barriers, and (4) police-related barriers. Decriminalization alone may be insufficient to address and/or mitigate the barriers that continue to constrain people who use drugs’ access to care. If the policy goal is to reduce barriers to health and harm reduction services, additional structural and institutional supports may be required. Barriers to accessing health and harm reduction services persisted during BC’s decriminalization pilot. Perceived stigma limited access to health and harm reduction services. Inhalation services remain limited at observed consumption sites across BC. Despite the legal reform, policing practices discouraged health service attendance. Decriminalization alone may be insufficient in eliminating service barriers.

Chronic stress is a global issue with detrimental effects on health and productivity, often leading individuals to adopt health‐related coping strategies. This study uses an adapted Job Demands–Resources model to examine how various job demands and resources impact perceived stress and, consequently, the use of legal, prescription, and illegal drugs for enhancement purposes. Utilizing multiple waves from a nationwide sample of the working population in Germany ( N = 7,705), structural equation models reveal that certain job demands increase perceived stress, while several resources mitigate it. Stress mediates the relationship between these factors and the use of legal and prescription drugs for cognitive enhancement. Illegal drug use was only directly impacted by selected job demands and resources. Thereby, this study expands the Job Demands–Resources model's applicability to include health‐related behaviors like drug use. Practically, it calls for multidimensional strategies to prevent potentially health‐endangering drug use, including structural improvements and individual interventions.

On January 31, 2023, the Canadian province of British Columbia launched a 3-year pilot initiative decriminalizing the possession of up to 2.5 g of select illegal drugs. This qualitative study explores how police officers understand and perceive the decriminalization policy goals.

BackgroundIn 2020, the U.S. state of Oregon passed Measure 110 (M110), which aimed to address substance use disorder as a public health issue and reduce disparities in the criminal legal system by decriminalizing personal drug possession and increasing services. The impact of partial drug decriminalization on individuals under community supervision—whose release conditions often prohibit drug use and who M110 excluded—is understudied.MethodsWe used targeted sampling to recruit and survey people who use drugs (PWUD; N = 468) in eight Oregon counties in 2023. We compared PWUD under community supervision to those who were not to assess opioid-related overdose, naloxone access, and law enforcement engagement.ResultsCompared to PWUD who were not under community supervision, those under supervision had higher prevalence of past year opioid-related overdose. There were no differences by naloxone access. Eighty-two percent (82%) of PWUD on community supervision were stopped by law enforcement in the past year. PWUD on community supervision were more likely than those not on community supervision to report in the past year being searched by law enforcement at least once (adjusted prevalence differences [APD]=0.33; 95% CI: 0.23, 0.43), spent time in jail at least once (APD=0.33; 95% CI: 0.23, 0.43), and to have concerns about getting into trouble if they called 911 for a drug-related health issue (APD=0.12; 95% CI: 0.00, 0.18).ConclusionUnder M110, Oregon PWUD under community supervision experienced more police engagement and overdoses. Findings have implications for less police presence at overdose scenes, greater access to naloxone and support services, and protections under future decriminalization laws.

British Columbia's (BC) three-year drug decriminalization policy-introduced in January 2023 and amended just over a year later in 2024-had multiple goals, including reducing drug use stigma, shifting perceptions of drug use from a criminal to a health issue, and improving health outcomes for people who use drugs. As part of the policy, the BC government was required to implement public education tools to raise awareness and build understanding of the policy. However, little is known about the scope or impact of these public education efforts or how the information environment shaped public perceptions and attitudes toward the policy. To address these gaps, this study examines: 1) how BC's decriminalization policy was communicated and represented across government and media sources, and 2) how exposure to these information sources influenced public support and perceptions of safety. This mixed-methods study analyzed 98 government resources, 301 media articles, and a cross-sectional public opinion survey of 1200 BC residents. Content analyses of government resources and media articles examined government resource and media source intent, misinformation, misleading narratives, and perspectives, while the public opinion survey assessed information exposure, policy support, and perceived safety. Approximately one-quarter of all sources were government resources, and among those with publication dates, only 13 % were released prior to the policy's implementation and 9 % contained misinformation, representing a missed opportunity for expectation-setting and public education. In contrast, 34 % of media articles contained misinformation, commonly misrepresenting the policy's intent and linking decriminalization to increased crime, disorder, and public drug use. Survey findings showed no significant associations between specific information sources and outright opposition. However, respondents exposed to multiple information sources were significantly less likely to report a neutral stance compared to support (OR [95 % CI]: 0.31 [0.15-0.65]). Those accessing official/academic sources or multiple sources were also less likely to feel less safe (OR [95 % CI]: 0.22 [0.07-0.71] and 0.43 [0.24-0.78]). These findings highlight critical gaps in government communication and the dominance of misrepresentative media framing in shaping public attitudes. Effective drug policy requires not only legislative change but also proactive, coordinated, and sustained public education strategies to counter misinformation, reduce stigma, and build lasting support.

Abstract The shifting legal landscape of drug regulation in the United States has been marked by a growing divergence between state and federal approaches to cannabis and psychedelics. In recent years, numerous states have passed laws legalizing or decriminalizing marijuana and exploring the therapeutic potential of psychedelics, such as psilocybin and MDMA. At the same time, these trends are juxtaposed against rising opposition and legislative rollback, particularly in states like Oregon, where decriminalization efforts have been reversed. This article provides a comprehensive review of current drug policy developments, focusing on cannabis and psychedelics at the state level, the evolving federal stance under the Biden administration, and the potential impact of a second Trump term. It also explores the challenges and successes of state initiatives, the FDA’s evolving role in regulating substances like MDMA and esketamine, and the broader implications for public health and criminal justice. As the country navigates the complexities of drug rescheduling and reform, future federal policies under new leadership could further reshape the landscape of drug legalization and therapy in the United States.

Connecting patterns of legal drug consumption and the policing of illicit drug markets, this article aims to implicate both in a broad, sometimes imperceptible system of pacification. As deployed here, pacification describes a range of material and ideological tools, techniques and practices used by the state to secure and reproduce capitalist social order. Using drugs to transform pained, depressed and exhausted subjects into contented consumers, and likewise, drug laws to police, punish or eliminate dangerous subjects altogether, pharmaceutical pacification offers an understanding of state power that transcends typical distinctions between legal/illegal, foreign/domestic and the violence of war and police. To elaborate our claims, we employ an object-centered analysis tracking the tangled history of two closely related drugs—phencyclidine (PCP) and ketamine—from their syntheses to their current use by state agents and non-state entrepreneurs, demonstrating the ways pacification operates through the drug war and individual market relations simultaneously.

Drug abuse or substance abuse refers to the use of certain chemicals to create pleasurable effects on the brain. There are over 190 million drug users around the world. The problem has been increasing at alarming rates, especially among young adults under the age of 30.1 Drug addiction, also called substance use disorder, is a disease that affects the brain and behaviour and leads to an inability to control the use of a legal or illegal drug or medicine. Substances such as alcohol, marijuana, and nicotine are also considered drugs. When a person is addicted, they may continue using the drug despite the harm it causes.2 The exact cause of substance abuse is sometimes clear, but there are two predominant theories: either a genetic predisposition or, most time, a habit learned or passed down from others, which, if addiction develops, manifests itself as a possibly chronic, debilitating disease.3 According to the World Drug Report 2023, one in every 17 people aged 15- 64 years around the world has used a drug in 2021, which shows a significant 23% rise in the past decade.4 In India, a country with a population of over a billion,62.5 million people use alcohol, 8.75 million people use cannabis, 2 million use opioids, and 0.6 million use sedatives and hypnotics.5 The mean age of drug abuse was 35.3 years, and a few states contributed large numbers of young drug abusers who are below 20 years of age, with 39% belonging to Karnataka.6 Substance use has negative impacts on health, social, and economic consequences. Globally, more than 5% of the total disability-adjusted life years are attributed to substance use.7 Adolescence is a crucial period for beginning and experimenting with new things. The college students make up one of the largest groups of drug abusers nationwide. Globally, the situation of drug abuse in adolescence is becoming a health problem and is reaching an alarming position in India, and young people (ages 18-24) are already at a heightened risk of addiction.8 One of the main factors contributing to the high rates of substance abuse among students in India is peer pressure. Many students feel pressure to fit in and be accepted by their peers, leading them to engage in risky behaviour such as substance abuse. This is particularly true for students who may feel marginalised or excluded by their peers. Substance abuse is also often seen as a means of coping with stress and anxiety. Students may turn to drugs or alcohol as a way to escape the demands of their daily lives and to temporarily alleviate their mental health issues. This can lead to a cycle of addiction and further mental health problems. Substance abuse can lead to a range of mental health issues, including depression, anxiety, and psychosis.9 Drug abuse is a pervasive problem in modern society, with millions of people around the world struggling with addiction and its consequences. The impact of drug abuse is far-reaching and can affect individuals, families, communities, and society as a whole. In this essay, we will explore how drug abuse affects society.11 Declining grades, absenteeism from school and other activities, and increased potential for dropping out of school are problems associated with adolescent substance abuse.10 Drug abuse is often associated with criminal activity, such as theft, violence, and drug-related offences. In many cases, individuals with substance use disorders may turn to illegal activities to support their drug habits. This can put a strain on law enforcement and the criminal justice system, as well as on society as a whole.11 College students are biologically and psychologically more susceptible to drug usage since they are in a vital stage of brain development. College students' likelihood of using drugs may be influenced by peer pressure, low-risk perception, and coping with the stress of challenging transitions. Drug abuse has emerged as a serious concern, adversely affecting the physical and socio-economic well-being of the country. It has an enormous presence in public health across various sections of society. The epidemic of drug abuse in the younger generation has assumed alarming dimensions in India. The stress and strain of modern-day life have rendered the individual more vulnerable to the problem of substance abuse. Addiction to alcohol/drugs not only affects the individual involved but also the family and society at large.

Drug-related juvenile crimes in refugee camps are a growing concern, shaped by structural vulnerabilities. This review synthesizes existing literature on drug-related juvenile crimes in refugee settings, focusing on how social disorganization, structural neglect, and psychosocial deprivation increase vulnerability among displaced children, and argues for a public health–oriented decriminalization approach to prevention and rehabilitation. Drawing upon international and regional studies published between 2017 and 2024, the paper highlights how poverty, forced migration, trauma, limited education, and exposure to drug trafficking networks contribute to youth delinquency in refugee camps. Using social disorganization, delinquent subculture, rational choice, and structural functionalism theories, the review identifies five key thematic drivers: economic marginalization, peer and gang influence, normalization of drug culture, lack of family supervision, and absence of rehabilitation services. In light of contemporary debates on drug decriminalization, the review argues that punitive approaches to drug-related juvenile offences often reinforce structural disadvantages, criminalize poverty, and hinder social reintegration. Instead, a public health-oriented decriminalization framework can mitigate these harms by shifting focus from punishment to rehabilitation, prevention, and community reintegration. The consequences of maintaining criminalization extend beyond individual harm, contributing to broader community insecurity, increased drug dependency, and undermined law and order. The paper concludes by recommending a multisectoral prevention and recovery framework that aligns with decriminalization principles, emphasizing community-based rehabilitation, psychosocial counseling, drug awareness education, and integrated child protection systems anchored in social work and public health models. Such an approach advances restorative justice and promotes long-term well-being for at-risk juveniles in fragile and displaced settings.

Based on data obtained from the Tidore Islands City Health Office, an inspection was conducted on kiosks/small stalls/stalls in several areas of North Oba District in 2023. The inspection results showed that of the 96 kiosks/small stalls in North Oba District, 74 (77%) were found to be selling restricted over-the-counter drugs despite not having a permit as a legal drug kiosk. The purpose of this study was to determine the factors related to the practice of selling restricted over-the-counter drugs in small stalls. This type of research used quantitative research with a descriptive design.cross sectional.There are four variables that have a relationship with the practice of selling restricted over-the-counter drugs: knowledge (p = 0.001), social environment (p = 0.003), economy (p = 0.000), supervision (p = 0.000). The knowledge of business actors and residents in the social environment greatly influences the practice of selling restricted over-the-counter drugs by business actors in small shops. Poor knowledge of both sellers and buyers about the dangers of restricted over-the-counter drugs sold without a doctor's prescription is still very high. In addition, low economic conditions and government supervision of the distribution of restricted over-the-counter drugs in small shops without official permits are among the factors that continue to be widespread in the practice of selling restricted over-the-counter drugs.

Objectives This study explored the status and causative factors of drug driving behavior among professional drivers in China, by examining their perceptions of impairment caused by legal and illegal drugs, attitudes toward police enforcement and legal regulation, and factors predicting the behavior. Methods The current study recruited a sample of professional Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) transport drivers completing a designed questionnaire. A total of 294 individuals, ranging in age between 19 and 58 years (M = 48.03, SD = 4.46) are engaged. Data were analyzed using ANOVA, Path Analysis, and Bayesian Network Learning. Results The participants rated illegal drugs as more dangerous than legal ones, of which the full list is provided in the online supplement. One-way ANOVA revealed significant differences in impairment ratings across legal drug categories (p < .001), with alcohol (D1) perceived as the most impairing. Path Analysis identified that the perceived risk of drug driving (β = 0.26, p < .001) and attitude toward legal supervision (β = 0.23, p < .001) were significant direct predictors of self-reported drug driving behavior. Subsequently, the Bayesian Network model quantified this relationship, showing that drivers who perceived the highest level of risk had a substantially lower probability (31.6%) of engaging in drug driving. Two-thirds of respondents supported enhanced legal supervision for this issue. Conclusions The findings highlight distinct perceptions and attitudes in this population, suggesting that targeted education and legal measures could effectively manage drug driving in the Chinese context.

BackgroundOn January 31, 2023, Health Canada granted British Columbia (BC) a three-year (2023–2026) exemption under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA), decriminalizing the personal possession of up to 2.5 g of certain unregulated drugs among adults (18+) without arrest, seizure of drugs, or criminal penalty. A key objective was to increase awareness, engagement, and retention in harm reduction (HR) and opioid agonist treatment (OAT) services by reducing stigma and enhancing service access. In May 2024, however, the policy was amended to re-criminalize drug use and possession in public spaces. This study examines how decriminalization and its subsequent amendment affected HR and OAT service operations from the perspective of service providers across BC.MethodsBetween October 23rd, 2024 and January 29th, 2025, 18 semi-structured virtual key informant interviews were conducted with HR and OAT service providers across BC. The interviews examined participants’ experiences with decriminalization and its amendment, and how these policy changes impacted service operations and delivery. Thematic analysis was used to identify patterns across interview data.ResultsKey informants reported few operational changes following decriminalization, with no major adjustments to service delivery. Despite expectations of increased client engagement, sites received no additional funding and faced ongoing staffing and resource shortages. Informants emphasized that systemic issues—such as the toxic drug supply and rising homelessness—had a greater impact on service use than the policy itself. A lack of clear communication and site-specific training resulted in uncertainty and confusion, further limiting frontline staff’s ability to respond effectively to policy changes.ConclusionKey informants perceived that decriminalization did not lead to immediate changes in HR and OAT site operations. Longstanding systemic barriers continued to limit service capacity and policy impact. Providers highlighted the need for sustained investment in housing, staffing, and supervised spaces to support meaningful engagement and reduce stigma. Addressing these foundational issues was seen as essential for realizing the policy’s intended public health objectives.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12889-025-25479-x.

Emerging drug trends in Japan: possible benefits of exercise, budo, and mindfulness as prevention strategies

Design, Synthesis, and Binding Affinity of Novel N-Naphthyl-Substituted Phenethylamines as 5-HT2AR Agonists

Impact of the first year of British Columbia's decriminalization of drug possession for personal use on drug crime in Canada.

This qualitative study examines how frontline police officers in British Columbia experienced and adapted to Canada's first formal drug decriminalization policy 1 year after implementation.Drawing on 30 semistructured interviews and using thematic analysis with a policy alienation and street-level bureaucracy lens, we analyzed how officers felt alienated from the policy process and coped with this experience as frontline implementers.Key themes show that frontline officers experienced processes of policy alienation in various ways: they felt that the policy was misaligned with their frontline perspectives; the Policy undermined their ability to help people in their communities; and legal ambiguity surrounding the Policy was challenging to navigate.Their coping strategies revealed that officers interpreted and executed decriminalization in divergent ways.

Drug decriminalization policy under the microscope in the United States: crime data considerations to inform future research.

Canada is in the midst of a crisis featuring drug poisonings. Decriminalisation of personal possession of select illegal drugs was implemented in British Columbia, Canada on 31 January 2023 as one element of a public health response to reduce drug-related harms. We evaluated the short-term impacts of decriminalisation on paramedic responses to opioid poisonings and drug poisoning deaths to detect if there were early signals of change. We sourced population-based monthly counts of drug poisonings from the provincial emergency services provider and coroners service to compute total and sex-specific age-standardised rates per 100,000 (January 2015-December 2023 [97 months pre-decriminalisation and 11 months post-decriminalisation]). Generalised additive models in an interrupted time series design were used to evaluate the short-term impacts of decriminalisation on rates of paramedic responses to opioid poisonings and drug poisoning deaths. Decriminalisation was not associated with an immediate effect (β [95% confidence interval; CI] -0.078 [-0.318, 0.163]) or trend change (β [95% CI] -0.022 [-0.082, 0.037]) in the total rate of paramedic responses to opioid poisonings, nor was it associated with an immediate effect (β [95% CI] -0.165 [-0.477, 0.147]) or trend change (β [95% CI] -0.010 [-0.082, 0.062]) in the total rate of drug poisoning deaths. These findings were consistent after stratification by sex. Decriminalisation of select illegal drugs was not associated with significant changes in drug poisonings in the first 11 months of its implementation. However, the direction of effects was encouraging from a public health standpoint.