Alternatives to illicit drugs, like a safe drug supply, are withheld by government, restricted by physicians and demonized in the public's eye. What has prevented Canadian decision makers from making safe supply an essential component of the overdose response and drug policy writ large? Recent opinion polls also suggest that less than a majority of Canadians support drug decriminalization. Portugal's experience of decriminalization teaches us that "political suicide" is not a foregone conclusion for politicians brave enough to publicly support drug decriminalization. It's only through vocal public support and public pressure that politicians lose their fear and Canada sees a future where safe supply becomes the new status quo.

Source: Huffington Post April 24, 2019 14:26 UTC