After weeks of alarming stories about the problem of drug use on the streets, in hospitals, public parks, and bus stations, British Columbia announced plans to recriminalize drug use in public places yesterday, Friday, leading to a radical shift in a pilot program aimed at addressing the crisis of toxic drugs.

In a statement, Premier David Eby insisted that his government "cares and empathizes with those suffering from addiction," but the patience for the chaos does not go beyond that.

Eby said, "Keeping people safe is our top priority."

He stated, "We are taking action to ensure that police have the tools they need to ensure safe and comfortable communities for everyone while we expand treatment options so that people can survive and improve."

With the election approaching, Eby’s New Democratic Party government has faced a barrage of headlines over concerns about decriminalization—a pilot program introduced in January 2023 that allows adult drug users in British Columbia to carry up to 2.5 grams of drugs for personal use without facing criminal charges.

The program was made possible through the exemption granted by Health Canada under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, which allowed drug use in certain public places.