Centre for Addiction and
Mental Health Supports Renewal of Canada's Drug Strategy
For immediate release -- May 27, 2003 Toronto --The Centre for
Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) supports the legislation announced
today converting cannabis possession to a civil violation under the federal
Contraventions Act. CAMH also supports the announcement of a national
drug strategy to situate the response to drug use within a broader health
framework.
"The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health supports the movement
away from the criminalization of cannabis use. While CAMH does not encourage
cannabis use, research indicates that most cannabis use is sporadic or
experimental and not likely to be associated with serious negative long-term
consequences. Based on the research on other jurisdictions that have reformed
their cannabis laws, CAMH believes that the current criminal sanctions
for cannabis possession are an inappropriate control mechanism. We are
encouraged to see that an alternative approach will be implemented,"
said Dr. David Marsh, CAMH's Clinical Director, Addiction Medicine.
CAMH also believes it is important to continue to penalize people involved
in the supply and sale of cannabis, making cannabis available to minors,
or engaging in behaviours that are endangering to others, including driving.
Based on supporting evidence from other jurisdictions, CAMH also believes
that eliminating criminal sanctions for cannabis possession for personal
use will not lead to its increased use.
Marsh said that it's important that decriminalization of cannabis be
implemented within the context of the newly announced national drug strategy
to ensure an overall framework that recognizes addiction as a health issue.
"The strategy should be one that recognizes the four "pillars"
-- treatment, harm reduction, prevention and enforcement. It is critical
that an appropriate level of funding be provided and maintained for prevention
and treatment programs to minimize the prevalence of cannabis use and
its associated harms. It will also be critical to evaluate the overall
impact of the newly introduced alternative control mechanisms introduced
to inform future policy discussions," he said.
The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health is a Pan American Health Organization
and World Health Organization Collaborating Centre and a teaching hospital
fully affiliated with the University of Toronto.
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For further information contact: Anne Ptasznik, Media Relations Coordinator
(416) 595-6015.
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PDF of the May 27, 2003 release
1-800-463-6273
