**B.C. Premier Acknowledges Drug Decriminalization Was a Mistake** British Columbia Premier David Eby recently admitted that the province's decriminalization of personal-use possession of illicit drugs was a mistake. Speaking at a luncheon organized by the Urban Development Institute in Vancouver, Eby stated, "I was wrong … it was not the right policy." Eby, who took office in November 2022, oversaw the decriminalization initiative that began on January 31, 2023. Under this policy, individuals in B.C. could possess less than 2.5 grams of drugs such as heroin, fentanyl, and methamphetamine without facing arrest or criminal charges. Law enforcement was instructed not to seize these drugs from users in public spaces but to offer them access to health and social services. At the time, Eby’s government promoted the measure as a way to reduce the stigma surrounding drug use and to encourage safer consumption practices. Jennifer Whiteside, the province’s minister of mental health and addictions, emphasized the dangers of using drugs alone, citing the increasingly toxic drug supply. However, Eby has since expressed concerns about the outcomes of decriminalization. He described the policy as creating a “permissive structure” that led users to believe it was acceptable to use drugs in public. This, he noted, resulted in “really unhappy consequences.” Eby’s comments reflect a shift in his stance, as he had previously defended the decriminalization policy against critics who argued it was contributing to increased crime and disorder. During the B.C. provincial election campaign in October, he acknowledged that the policy did not yield the desired results, stating, "It resulted in some real problems." In Campbell River, a community that opposed the decriminalization initiative, local leaders have called for a return to criminalizing drug use. In April 2024, three city councillors issued a statement asserting that legalizing drugs had detrimental effects on neighborhoods and communities. Their concerns were echoed by police officials, including Fiona Wilson, deputy chief of the Vancouver Police Department, who testified that decriminalization hindered law enforcement's ability to manage open drug use. Despite the backlash, Eby had previously insisted that the decriminalization program would remain in place, citing the high number of overdose deaths in the province. He stated, "We got thousands of people dead, we got family and friends grieving the loss of these brothers and sisters. We need to drive those numbers down." In response to ongoing issues, Eby’s government sought to extend restrictions on drug use in specific public areas, including hospitals and transit systems, following reports of rampant drug use in healthcare facilities. While Eby has now acknowledged the shortcomings of the decriminalization policy, he previously defended it as a compassionate approach to addiction and mental health issues. He stated, "I think British Columbians understand that we can have compassion about addiction and mental health issues, while having standards and rules around where it is and where it isn’t appropriate for drug use." As the province grapples with the consequences of its drug policy, the future direction remains uncertain amid calls for a reevaluation of the approach to drug use and addiction in British Columbia.