Submission to HESA Committee Study on ‘Opioid Epidemic and Toxic Drug Crisis’ Prepared by: Canadian Drug Policy Coalition January 10 2024

Submission to HESA Committee Study on ‘Opioid Epidemic and Toxic Drug Crisis’ Prepared by: Canadian Drug Policy Coalition January 10 2024 The Toxic Drug Crisis is Driven by the Illegality and Lack of Regulation of Currently Illicit Drugs Contrary to dominant narratives, rates of drug use and rates of substance use disorders (SUD) have not increased in Canada over the last decade. [...] Discriminatory enforcement practices and sentencing rates further militate in favour of the full decriminalization of drug-related criminal sanctions through the repeal of the CDSA and replacement with robust and equity-focused regulatory models. [...] The Truth and Reconciliation report calls upon the federal government to recognize and implement the healthcare rights of Indigenous peoples and identify and close the gaps in health outcomes between Indigenous and non-Indigenous populations. [...] C., the harm reduction policy of the First Nations Health Authority supports the expansion of pharmaceutical alternatives to the toxic drug supply in a manner that is culturally safe, and the health authority has also indicated support for all communities that choose to provide safe supply for its members. [...] Declaration of a National Public Health Emergency: Revisiting HESA committee recommendations on the opioid crisis in Canada from 2016 In 2016, the HESA committee completed a study on the opioid crisis and recommended the declaration of a national public health emergency.