Episode 102 | The Toxic Drug Crisis Podcast Series: Rethinking Decriminalization

CIAJ In All Fairness - ICAJ En toute justice

Drug toxicity is a leading cause of death in Canada and around the world. Over the course of three episodes, we address three interrelated topics related to the toxic drug crisis. This final episode will review decriminalization policies in Portugal, British Columbia, and Oregon, and examine the mandatory treatment scheme in Alberta. Guests discuss how decriminalization is ineffective as a standalone policy and suggest additional resources that are needed to address the overdose crisis. Host Sarah Rowe discuss this issue and more with guests, internist and addiction specialist, Dr. Monty Ghosh, and criminal defence lawyer, Kyla Lee.

This series is produced in memory of Marc Alexander O’Keefe.

Guests

• S. Monty Ghosh, Doctor of Internal Medicine, Disaster Medicine, and Addiction Medicine; Assistant Professor, Departments of General Internal Medicine & Neurology, University of Alberta; Clinical Associate Professor, Departments of Medicine & Psychiatry, University of Calgary
• Kyla Lee, Vancouver Criminal Lawyer, Acumen Law Corporation

Host

• Sarah Rowe, Articling Clerk, Legal Aid Newfoundland and Labrador

The Toxic Drug Crisis Podcast Series To further explore the discussion, listen to our previous podcasts on the subject:

• The Toxic Drug Crisis Podcast Series: Is Harm Reduction Enough? — With guests Geoff Bardwell, Ph.D. and Craig Marshall. Host: Sarah Rowe
• The Toxic Drug Crisis Podcast Series: The Role of Safer Supply — With guests Gillian Kolla, PhD, MPH and Sukhpreet Klaire, MD CCFP (AM). Host: Sarah Rowe