The Short-Term Impacts of Drug Decriminalization in British Columbia

Saturday, April 25, 2026

1:30 PM - 2:45 PM PT

Location: Balboa, Level 2

Presenter(s)

CR

Cayley Russell, MA

Research Manager
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
Toronto, Ontario
Sameer Imtiaz, PhD

Staff Scientist
Center for Addiction and Mental Health
Toronto, Ontario
Juls Budau, MSW

Research Advisor
UBC School of Population & Public Health
Victoria, BC, British Columbia

This session explores the short-term impacts of British Columbia, Canada’s, landmark drug decriminalization policy through an integrated presentation of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed-method findings. Presenters will share insights from people who use drugs, police officers, and health service providers, examining shifts in overdose trends, service delivery, and criminal justice outcomes. Featuring diverse perspectives—including lived experience—the session will highlight lessons learned, persistent inequities, and implications for shaping equitable drug policy reform in Canada and beyond.

Learning Objectives:

Learners will be able to:

Describe key short-term impacts of British Columbia’s drug decriminalization and re-criminalization policies on overdose deaths, service utilization, and criminal justice outcomes.
Explain how decriminalization and its partial repeal have influenced the experiences of people who use drugs, policing practices, and the operations of harm reduction and treatment services across BC.
Discuss the policy and practice implications of BC’s experience to inform evidence-based, equitable, and health-focused approaches to future drug policy reforms.

Disclosure(s):

Cayley Russell, MA: No financial relationships to disclose

Sameer Imtiaz, PhD: No financial relationships to disclose

Juls Budau, MSW: No financial relationships to disclose