Small Drug Possession Decriminalized in BC

It has taken years of strong advocacy and constant pressure on the government to get this 3 year trial in place. Families of addicts still using and those who have died of overdoses have worked really hard to achieve this.
In 2021, there were 2,224 overdose deaths in BC alone. I think there are 6-7 ODs per day. I am unsure of the national number. So far this year, overdose deaths seem to indicate there will be even more, except for this new rule. Since 2016, almost 10,000 lives have been lost to bad drugs (just in BC).
It will be interesting to see if this helps to stem using and deaths. The proof is in the pudding, as they say, so we will see.
I have had to drag a girl out of a creek at the dogpark when she was ODing, and call 911 several times when I've seen people in trouble on the streets and around town.
I tried to remind my son about discarded needles when he was in grade 7, but he told me they saw people shooting up every day in the neighbourhood around the school. His point being that he was well aware of used needles. Almost daily, I see ambulances responding to people laying on the street, most suffering ODs. I think it must really wear on the nerves of our cops and EMTs, having to deal with OD after OD after OD, day in and day out. An actual crime or fender bender must be a relief to attend.
Let's hope this three year trial period offers some solutions to this crisis that can be applied nation wide.