No

wile some and most drugs do some sort of damage, the amount of damage is dependent on the drug. a good hand full of drug can be therapeutic, and can help a lot of people in need. although precaution need to be in place so damage or dependence does not occur

If you criminalize drug use, crime rates will go up and people will go out of there way to get drugs that may be laced with other substances or they are not regulated by the government.

Before the legalisation of weed you could walk around and would only see people smoking but now when you walk down people on streets are smoking weed beside public places because now they have the right to do so.

Countries with 0 tolerance to drugs have a lower percentage of annual drug related deaths compared to countries that permit drugs.

the drug policy would only makw things worse simply because it would put people on the streets more often and it would create more angry people who are addicted and bankrupt.

Drugs are not only unhealthy for people but cause them to get violent and addicted to the substance leading their lives into a disaster.

If you legalize drugs, then people who are drug addicts and need help will be more likely to seek out help without judgement vs. being incarcerated; drug addiction is a mental health illness, not a criminal act. I think it's fine to criminalize the selling of drugs (e.g. cocaine, meth, etc.) but not the USE of the drug.

We should follow policy that has proven to work in reducing violent crimes contributed to drug culture, reduced addictions rates and reduced overdose rates. Its a healthcare issue not a criminal issue

People will use drugs no matter how much legislation against them there is, so why not make it as safe as possible to prevent deaths.

You will never stop drug use, you will only stop safe attempts to overcome addiction - a real disease.

Risk of increased drug exposure and usage. There is inadequate support services. Trafficking will not stop with decrimilization. It's ethically wrong.

We need to work on providing institutions for those with severe mental illness instead of just encouraging this behavior. Many addicts are mentally unwell and are not fit to work a job and be a productive member of society. We have seen that providing more infrastructure for safe use has only increased public drug usage and has lead to a massive decline of our cities. Having clean and safe cities is what Canada used to be known for

Look at the stats of drug use, as a mental health and addictions counsellor, there are proven statistics that shows drug use centres help avoid long term issues of substance use and abuse

Legalize all drugs. Money used for fighting drugs, boarder security, keeping people in prison can be used for raising awareness and opening drug rehab facilities to help people get off them.
Most people don’t have access or don’t know where to turn when addicted.
Also, it gets rid of that taboo nature of drugs and makes them legalized the thrill of doing them decreases.
The money can be better spent helping & supporting rather than convicting and punishing.
It’s obviously shown to do nothing when throwing people in prison…. We still have drug addicts all over. Time to change it up!

If I theirs a drug policy making them legal it leaves a impact making them look like its ok to do impacting children who may do them after.

It isn’t the people who use the drugs who are the problem. It’s the people who manufacture and distribute / sell the drugs which are the issue. People try drugs, sometimes without even knowing it, and become addicted, which is a medical and psycho-social issue. They require access to treatment and financial / psychosocial assistance, not charges, a criminal file and jail time.

If you criminalise drug use, crime rates will go up and people will go out of there way to get drugs that may be laced with other substances or they are not regulated by the government. Restricting access to safe injection sites and clean equipment has proven to make the drug addiction issue far more destructive to the individual an community at large

The "No" Argument: The Risks of Legalization and Decriminalization
Public Health Concerns: While drug legalization might reduce incarceration rates, it could also increase drug use and abuse, leading to public health crises. Drugs like opioids, methamphetamines, and cocaine, even if used responsibly by some, can lead to addiction, overdose deaths, and long-term mental health issues. The increased availability of these substances could exacerbate addiction rates, resulting in a heavier burden on healthcare systems, social services, and families.

Impact on Vulnerable Populations: Legal…  Read moreization may disproportionately harm vulnerable populations, particularly youth, low-income communities, and those with mental health issues. Research shows that adolescents' brains are more susceptible to addiction and long-term cognitive impairments from drug use. By making certain drugs more accessible and normalized, society may inadvertently encourage experimentation and eventual dependency in younger generations, undermining public health and education efforts aimed at prevention.

I believe we don't want our kids using drugs, we should not have people walking around with needles dangling out of their arm

Lots of students in high schools and middle schools across Canada take drugs and other substances. This will ruin them in the future and I belive that only the hospital should have acsess to these drugs rather than the public.

As long as they don't hurt other people, then let them do what they want, it's their life. You only get one life, so let them live it how they wanna

Drug use is unacceptable in this generation and is not taken serious. Drug use should be supervised and drugs such as marijuana should be illegal.

Drug abuse can lead to severe health consequences, including addiction, mental health issues, and physical harm. A more permissive drug policy might unintentionally contribute to increased substance abuse and related health crises.

People who use hard drugs often have an addiction, and need to be helped rather than put in jail. They deserve a chance like every other person to work and get help for their addictions. There should be healthy injection sites, rehab centers, and loads of help available.

Drugs can easily ruin your life, but if you were in a position of power, being influenced by drugs could ruin others lives as well.

Legalizing would make most drugs heavily tested before commercial sale. Most overdose from cheap substitutes dealers mix to stretch their product. In order to sell something for consumption it must be approved and safe to the public so people can still slowly stop or get help and not worry about the risks of dying.

People will literally do anything for a hit where that be stealing people’s pocket change or murdering someone for their car

People are going to use drugs no matter if it's legal or not. The decriminalizing of drug use can make that safer.

Drug abuse can lead to severe health consequences, including addiction, mental health issues, and physical harm. A more permissive drug policy might unintentionally contribute to increased substance abuse and related health crises.

I think that drugs should be banned and not legalized because drugs are bad for you and people struggle with addiction. Therefore, it should be banned.

The legalization of drugs allowed teenagers and young adults to have chances to take drugs from adults. Normal brains develop to 25 years old, consumption of drugs before this age might damage their brains and affect their long-term development.

The people who are actually the problem are those who are selling the drugs and going after those who use it will not fix anything. The people who use it are suffering from an addiction, so they should be able to get the help they need instead of being thrown into a jail cell

Using drugs only harms you, not others. You are the victim of drug manufacturers and dealers who use you to farm money.

Public Health Risks:

Drug abuse can lead to severe health consequences, including addiction, mental health issues, and physical harm. A more permissive drug policy might unintentionally contribute to increased substance abuse and related health crises.

Most drugs should be legalized, because ownership of drugs doesn't harm anyone else except one's self, and the idea of law is to protect one from another, not one from his or herself.

http://www.bccdc.ca/resource-gallery/Documents/Statistics%20and%20Research/Statistics%20and%20Reports/Overdose/Phase%202%20Qualitative%20Report%20on%20Drug%20Decriminalization%2020240424.pdf

that drugs are bad and when someone is addicted to drugs they will do anything they can to get the money to support there addiction even if that means hurting other people.

over the past few days, the decriminalization of drug use has proven to be fetal to the society. It makes the whole society permeates with drug addicts

If you just look on the streets of Vancouver, Tornto, literally anywhere, you can see drug addicts collapsed on the side of the road. You see it all the time in the news, drug addicts attacking people, people getting harmed because of drugs, and drugs doing harm to people.

49,105 opioid related deaths were reported between January 2016 and June 2024 - on the official Canada.ca health info database.

Legalizing or decriminalizing drugs may lead to increased usage and addiction, as it could normalize drug consumption and reduce deterrents. Studies show that when drugs are legalized, particularly recreational substances, usage tends to rise, straining public health systems and increasing the risk of addiction. Additionally, legalizing drugs could compromise public safety, leading to more impaired driving and accidents. Furthermore, while focusing on treatment is important, many regions lack the infrastructure to effectively support the growing demand for addiction services. Without a robust support system, the shift toward a treatment-focused approach could leave many without adequate care, ultimately exacerbating the problem.

The war on drugs and the policies with it have failed, it is time to try new policies including safe injection sites.

Focus on harm reduction The No position often treats drug use solely as a criminal justice issue, whereas a public health approach can be more effective.

By allowing the use of safe injection sites, people may use drugs safely and feel the ability to enter rehabilitation to combat their drug problem. There will be fewer deaths by overdose and medical professionals may intervene if an overdose occurs.

If you criminalise the use of drugs in our country then the rates of people using them and lacing them will increase.

Drugs allude to bad behaviour and crimes. If you take drugs then you should be punished for the bad actions.

It depends on their medical condition, and the bad drugs should be stopped, but good drugs shouldnt be stopped.

Even though some drugs are bad, there are some good ones that do help people with their medical conditions.

I don’t agree with drug use, I feel that they provide an unsafe environment for you adults. They have a unforeseen effect on the mind

Would you let the government control your favourite sugary/salty snack, if it caused only you harm?

Regardless of the legality of drug use, people have and will continue to use drugs, and illegal drugs lead to more crime. In my opinion, drugs being legal and provided by the government will not only help prevent drug trafficking, but will also reduce the amount of people who would be a potential danger to the community by being on drugs in public areas.

Illegal markets resulting from drug prohibition create multiple problems:
- Fuels criminal enterprises and underground economies
- Makes drug use more dangerous due to lack of quality control and safety standards
- Forces users into risky situations to obtain substances

The better approach would be:
1. Create a heavily regulated legal market for certain substances
2. Maintain bans on the most lethal/dangerous drugs
3. Allow controlled use of psychedelics in appropriate therapeutic/medical settings with proper oversight

This would help eliminate black markets while providing safer access through legitimate channels, similar to how alcohol and tobacco are currently regulated.

Legalization saves lives, when people are forced to use while hidden from public view they are much more likely to die from a drug poisoning. There have been zero fatal drug poisonings at safe consumption sites.

Drugs allude to bad behaviour and crimes. If you take drugs then you should be punished for the bad actions.

If we can keep the next generation safe from illegal substances we can limit the mental health crisis, number of death and keep our children healthy.

is would make people more bankrupt leading to more homelessness and threats to overdoses and violence

If I want to take the drug just let me take the goddamn drug instead of wasting your money incarcerating me

the drugs can be used to help people who have medical problems and need something to relief there pain, a example is if someone breaks a bone drugs can help relief them of pain

Personally I find the policy on drugs insane but no one has a say in it so personally changing the rules on the legal drugs would be great

The increase in drugs will only lead to a larger amount of people who misuse them, and it is also possible for teenagers/children to be in the possession of drugs.

Sometimes, there is no other choice for people but to sell drugs. they get stuck in this cycle of addiction ad selling, and unless they are responsible for someones overdose, they should not be in jail.

SOME drugs can be used for good. Marijuana can be used medically and help relax people. Most drugs are used to mess up ur head and u dont want that stuff. And phsycedelics can be VERY helpful. Get some mushrooms if u wanna tweak out.

Decriminalizing drug use will not only free space for more serious crimes like murder, rape, child pornography in jails and institutions, it will also open doors for space in health care and housing.