[whatnext]

The latest lunacy unfolding in BC. This should be a cautionary take for any other province stupidly thinking of decriminalization:

B.C.’s political blind spot on public safety
THE EDITORIAL BOARD
PUBLISHED 5 HOURS AGO

British Columbia’s New Democratic Party government’s blind spot on public safety was on display this week, with the promise of a task force to draft a policy around open use of illicit drugs and possession of weapons in the province’s hospitals.

For more than a year, hospital workers have watched the use of illicit substances increase after the implementation of the province’s decriminalization policy, raising concerns for the safety of staff and patients alike. The province’s response followed a predictable pattern when it comes to matters of law and (dis)order: Deny, deflect and downplay, and if that doesn’t work, promise to study the matter. Action may follow, but only after the problems have grown to the point that they are difficult to remedy...

... since the policy change, hospital workers have reported a marked increase in the use of illicit substances in patient rooms and bathrooms – even in the maternity unit of Victoria General. That puts front-line workers and other patients at risk of exposure to drugs that can be lethal in small doses. As well, there are more episodes of violent and aggressive behaviour related to patients under the influence, and patients carrying shanks or knives. Hospitals are less safe, something that has been documented by WorkSafeBC investigations.

Last summer, an internal memo from a northern hospital provided the following guidance to staff: Because of decriminalization, patients can have and use illicit drugs in their hospital rooms, and visitors can bring unlawful substances in without fear of search or seizure. In terms of weapons, blades under 10 centimetres in length should be ignored....


https://www.theglobeandmail.com/opin...public-safety/

Absolute insanity courtesy of the BC NDP and the drug enabler lobby.