Federal Health Minister Patty Hajdu. (CPAC)
The federal health minister is open to looking at decriminalizing small amounts of illegal drugs.
The request is coming from the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police, something Patty Hajdu says they’ll be having discussions about this in the future.
“To find out how we would do that in the best possible way. I’m excited to explore all possibilities to reduce the criminalization of people who use substances,” Hajdu says.
Police want the enforcement of possession of illegal drugs to be replaced with a healthcare approach that doesn’t punish someone addicted to substances.
“You know having been a person who worked in drug policy for a long time, I can tell you when you have the support of enforcement to take the next steps or affirm what you are doing, I think that’s very important,” Hajdu says.
Hajdu adds she will have to discuss the matter with other cabinet colleagues.
