British Columbia will not be renewing its pilot program to decriminalize personal drug use, citing limited results in reducing harms from the province’s ongoing toxic-drug crisis. The announcement came Wednesday during a news conference at Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria, where Health Minister Josie Osborne was joined by Island Health officials, frontline care providers, and public health leaders.

“Despite the hard work and good intentions behind the pilot, it has not delivered the results we hoped for. After very careful consideration, we are not asking the federal government to renew the exemption,” Osborne said.

The pilot, launched in 2023, aimed to make it easier for people struggling with addiction to access help without fear of criminalization. Osborne emphasized that addiction is a health issue, not a criminal justice problem, and that B.C. remains committed to building a comprehensive system of care. “People who are struggling with addictions are our family members, our friends, our neighbours. As the toxic drug crisis continues to evolve, our response must evolve with it,” she said.

Decriminalization Ends, Legal Context Clarified

Dr. Bonnie Henry clarified that, with the end of the federal exemption, possession of small amounts of substances such as cocaine, fentanyl, heroin, and meth—up to 2.5 grams—will again fall under the federal Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. Exemptions for supervised consumption sites and drug-checking programs remain in place.

Officials acknowledged that while the pilot initially reduced some possession offenses and drug seizures, it is difficult to measure direct effects on treatment uptake. “It is challenging to isolate the impact of decriminalization alone. The intent is to shift people away from the criminal justice system, reduce fear and stigma, and help people imagine reaching out for help,” a government spokesperson said.

Expanding Access Central and Virtual Care

Thursday’s news conference highlighted new initiatives to improve access to addiction care. Central to this effort is the expanded Access Central service, a phone and virtual system that connects adults to withdrawal management, detox, and other supports. “When someone is ready to seek support, they can call Access Central and receive an assessment by phone within 24 hours or be referred to a clinic for an in-person assessment. Access Central stays involved throughout a person’s recovery journey,” Osborne said.

Leah Hollins, Board Chair for Island Health, described Access Central as a “lifeline” that ensures people seeking help encounter a coordinated, compassionate response. Nurse Kim Keith emphasized the importance of timely support for patients navigating a complex system. “By the time people reach out and connect with us, many have tried to navigate a system that is complex and they’re all alone. Sometimes they’re exhausted before care even starts,” Keith said.

The Access Central model, first launched in Vancouver, has received more than 34,000 calls between October 2023 and December 2025, connecting over 3,500 people to withdrawal management beds. It is now available across Island Health, Fraser Health, and Interior Health, with Northern Health coming online later this year.

Road to Recovery and Broader Provincial Investments

Osborne also highlighted the Road to Recovery program at St. Paul’s Hospital, Foundry Centres for youth mental health and substance use support, and the Opioid Treatment Access Line. Since 2017, the province has invested over $2 billion in mental health and addiction services, opening more than 760 new beds and reducing wait times for withdrawal management from 26 days to about eight days.

“The ability to test, learn, and adjust was a core part of the pilot program. We saw some progress in shifting people away from the criminal justice system, but at the end of the three-year pilot, it is difficult to attribute changes directly to decriminalization,” Osborne said.

Why the Pilot Ended

When asked what it would have taken to continue the pilot, Osborne explained that the program was monitored through multiple indicators over three years. “Ultimately, we were not seeing results in terms of a huge increase in self-referrals to care, increased use of services, or the public awareness and understanding necessary to create conditions for success,” she said.

She also stressed that the pilot began during a time of record-high overdose deaths, emphasizing that decriminalization was only one tool among many in B.C.’s response to the crisis.

Public safety concerns also influenced the decision. Osborne said police are first responders who encounter individuals in public drug use situations, and the province continues to work closely with law enforcement to balance health-first approaches with community safety. “Taking in context, moving forward to help the police with tools and other first responders with the supports they need… while they retain their authority to uphold laws and protect the public,” she said.

Criminal Records and Health-First Approach

When asked if people possessing small amounts of drugs should face criminal records, Osborne reiterated the province’s health-focused approach: “Nobody wakes up and says, ‘I want to get addicted.’ That’s why it’s so important we treat this as a public health emergency and ensure people are connected to support and recovery services,” she said.

She acknowledged that criminal records can affect employment, travel, and social perception, highlighting the importance of broad support through the full continuum of care—from prevention and early intervention to Access Central, treatment beds, and recovery services.

Complex Results, Continuing Efforts

The government stressed that decriminalization alone could not solve B.C.’s complex drug crisis. While some metrics, like reduced possession offenses, showed promise, self-referrals to care did not rise as hoped. Osborne said the pilot’s intention was to reduce stigma and fear, but broader systemic improvements are essential. “With the decriminalization pilot ending, we continue our work… acknowledging that each person’s journey is different. We want to be there when they need help, which is what Access Central is all about,” she said.

Regarding record overdose deaths in 2023, Osborne noted it is difficult to attribute the numbers to any single factor. She emphasized ongoing efforts to expand the full continuum of care and make services more accessible.

The program officially ends January 31, 2026. The province is working with Health Canada, police, and community stakeholders to prepare for the transition and ensure people seeking help understand what is changing. “It is important to take that time for people to prepare for changes and to continue listening to any challenges being faced so we can make the appropriate changes and set things in motion for the smoothest transition possible,” Osborne said.

Opposition Criticizes Pilot as “Failed Experiment”

The Conservative Party of British Columbia sharply criticized the government’s decision, calling the decriminalization pilot a failure. The statement from Claire Rattée, MLA for Skeena and Critic for Mental Health, Addictions and Housing Supports, reads:

“The NDP government has finally admitted what British Columbians have known for years: drug decriminalization didn’t work.

From the outset, businesses, local governments, and police raised alarms about increased public drug use and disorder in community spaces. Instead of acting quickly, the NDP defended the approach until the consequences became impossible to ignore.

After three years of disorder and chaos, the government cannot even provide the number of people who were directed to treatment options. British Columbians deserve clarity on how the government will address this crisis moving forward. However, all that was announced today was the expansion of a phone line.

British Columbians don’t need a government that runs policy experiments and then pretends the consequences were unpredictable. They need a government focused on the basics: clarity, stability, and outcomes—safer streets, intervention, treatment and accountability for your actions.”