Advocates Win Injunction Blocking BC’s Drug Decriminalization Rollbacks

By Michelle Gamage  Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Legislation limiting where people can use drugs under the province’s decriminalization pilot project has been put on hold after the Supreme Court of British Columbia ruled the updates could cause irreparable harms. The legal challenge was launched by the non-profit Harm Reduction Nurses Association in early November. The lawsuit alleges B.C.’s Bill 34, the Restricting Public Consumption of Illegal Substances Act, violates sections of the Canadian Charter of Rights and  Freedoms. The lawsuit alleges the legislation violates people’s right to equality, life, liberty and security and protection from cruel and unusual treatment, said Caitlin Shane, staff lawyer with Pivot Legal Society and counsel for the Harm Reduction Nurses Association. The court didn’t rule the law violates those Charter rights. But Chief Justice Christopher…

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