Further, in the context of a toxic drug crisis driven by criminalization, whereby drugs from the unregulated market are dangerously potent and far too often fatal, it is necessary (and encouraged by provincial and federal governments in Canada) for people to use drugs in the presence of others as a matter of harm reduction, namely to ensure the provision of emergency overdose response. [...] As noted by the Supreme Court of Canada over a decade ago, fear of police and fear of the confiscation of drugs specifically, can cause people who use drugs to “override” known safety and hygiene practices noting, “Missing a vein in the rush to inject can mean the development of abscesses. [...] Consumption of illegal substances 3 (1) A person must not consume an illegal substance in any of the following areas or places: (a) the area within 15 m of any of the following places: (i) any part of a play structure in a playground; (ii) a spray pool or wading pool; (iii) a skate park; (b) any of the following places if the public has a right of access to the place: (i) a sports field; (ii) a be. [...] (2) Subsection (1) does not authorize the seizure, removal or destruction of a drug dispensed to the person in accordance with a prescription under the Pharmacy Operations and Drug Scheduling Act, except to the extent required to identify the seized substance as a drug dispensed to that person further to a prescription. [...] (3) An analyst may issue a certificate of analysis stating that the analyst has analyzed or examined a substance and stating the results of the analysis or examination, and the certificate is proof of the facts set out in it.
- Pages
- 12
- Published in
- Canada
