Policy Brief: CSAM in Support of the Decriminalization of Drug Use and Possession for Personal Use

Drug decriminalization: The importance of policy change for the health and wellbeing of children and youth in Canada

The criminalization of drug use and possession has demonstrable harms on the health of children and youth, with disproportionate effects on Black people, Indigenous people, people from other racially oppressed communities, and people living in poverty. Drug decriminalization, by separating personal possession and use of drugs from the criminal justice system, allows for a health-based approach to drug policy. Paediatricians are well-positioned to advocate for policies within a decriminalization framework to prioritize the physical and mental health of children and youth.

Emerging Attitudes Regarding Decriminalization: Predictors of Pro-Drug Decriminalization Attitudes in Canada

Canada and the United States have recently evaluated the decriminalization of drugs as multiple provinces and states put motions forward to consider drug decriminalization legislation. The influence of factors such as demographics, substance use, perceived substance use risk, and personality have not been widely studied in predicting attitudes toward drug decriminalization. A total of 504 participants were drawn from university ( n = 269, 53.37%) and community samples ( n = 235, 46.63%) through online social media groups and posts (i.e., Facebook, Twitter, Reddit, etc). Analyses indicated that male gender, single or non-married relationship status, living outside of Atlantic Canada, higher problematic alcohol use scores, lower Extraversion, higher Open-mindedness, and lower perceived risk of using substances emerged as significant predictors of support for drug decriminalization. These findings have important implications as public attitudes toward a substance influence drug policy.