EDITORIAL – Eby finally figures out what everyone knew about decriminalization
(Image: Mel Rothenburger)
An editorial by Mel Rothenburger,
‘TOLD YOU SO.’ Feels good to say it, especially in view of the alternative.
When the David Eby government brought in a pilot project decriminalizing the possession of small amounts of illicit drugs three years ago, many said it wouldn’t work. The public said it. Municipal politicians said it. Business and police said it.
Of particular concern was the use of those drugs in parks and playgrounds, but the idea of consumption in public places in general wasn’t popular. In Kamloops, on any given day, you could see addicts on the streets doing their drugs. Still can, though decriminalization was later restricted to private places.
Eby stubbornly stuck to the plan, insisting the pilot program would decrease the stigma of addiction and encourage users to seek help. It didn’t, and he did tinker around the edges, prohibiting drug use in parks, playgrounds and hospitals and on buses. Drug overdoses continued to rise. Five people in B.C. die of overdoses every day.
In June, 2023, this corner declared the experiment a failure. “End it now,” we said.
On Wednesday this week, Health Minister Josie Osborne announced there will be no extension of the decriminalization project, which officially ends Jan 31.
According to Osborne, “We are building a more complete and comprehensive system of mental-health and addictions care in B.C., including prevention, treatment and recovery, harm reduction and aftercare.”
Okay.
The Conservatives and Greens are, of course, trashing the NDP over the decision. The Greens claim the program should have worked, if only it had been done properly. “We cannot throw the baby out with the bathwater here,” says Green MLA Jeremy Valeriote.
The Conservatives, on the other hand, agree the program should end but…. “After months of rising public concern, the government is now conceding what families, front-line workers, and communities have been warning for years: the NDP’s risky experiment with drug decriminalization has negatively impacted our downtowns, communities and schools,” according to MLA Claire Rattee.
So, the NDP government was going to be damned if it did, damned if it didn’t. But it shouldn’t have at all.
Mel Rothenburger is a former regular contributor to CFJC-TV and CBC radio, publishes the ArmchairMayor.ca opinion website, and is a recipient of the Jack Webster Foundation Lifetime Achievement Award, and a Webster Foundation Commentator of the Year finalist. He has served as mayor of Kamloops, school board chair and TNRD director, and is a retired daily newspaper editor. He can be reached at mrothenburger@armchairmayor.ca.
ArmchairMayor.ca 
Your article this morning prompted me to re-examine an piece I wrote on this issue twenty years ago. In light of evolving societal dynamics and criminal justice reforms, it is clear that the root causes of injustice in Canada’s system remain tied to societal breakdowns, family instability, and modern lifestyles that foster unachieved aspirations.
To eradicate crime, we must tackle its origins. Social platforms now amplify glamorized vices, desensitizing morality more potently than 1990s media. Statistics Canada data from 2023–2025 indicates that while property crimes have dropped to 45% of youth offenses from 75% in the 1990s, violent incidents have risen to 35% due to economic inequality and mental health crises.
Solutions demand rule evolution. We should retain strict murder penalties, curb plea bargaining, and enhance sentencing standardization. Prisons should offer expanded vocational training yet remain unattractive to deter offenders. While the Youth Criminal Justice Act has reduced youth incarceration by 70% since its peak, failures persist; recidivism stands at 25%, often due to a lack of robust release conditions like mandatory job training.
I advocate for a hybrid system: preventive societal fixes, rehabilitative approaches for minors, and punitive measures for severe cases. Although I remain opposed to capital punishment, true life terms are necessary for the most extreme offenders to ensure public safety. Despite 2026 data showing declining overall crime, persistent inequities remain that require our collective attention.
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I encourage everyone to call the police if you see a crackhead using or carrying drugs in our community. If drugs are being dealt, call the police. It’s illegal again. Let’s turn this back into a “no needles” community and enforce the law as it should have been done. Let’s increase the stigma of open drug use and nasty behaviour that ruined communities across BC. Dirty law breaking criminals will be treated as such again.
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Recall those on council loudly advocating for safe supply, unfettered public drug use, and accusing anyone who dared suggest involuntary care a nazi? Recall from the previous election, candidates like Jesse Ritcey (surely to run again) loudly advocating for safe supply and unfettered public drug use? Recall council members supporting drug dens with rubber stamps?
When it comes time to vote, remember which of these so called leaders put their ridiculous ideology above the greater good of the community, and sacrificed our safety and happiness for their cause which has now been completely discredited by the most woke among them. Remember how they refused to listen to evidence and reason, and continued to double down on a horrible policy that had evidence of failure at nearly every jurisdiction that tried it previously.
As if any sane person out there thought that giving drugs to crackheads with no restrictions or expectations would lead them to seek therapy. The premise is entirely laughable. Rarely has such a foolish endeavour been attempted on such a large scale.
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To note, the “Greens” position. A position of truly vague nothingness like many others they have. How can’t they see the astonishing lack of clarity and thoughtfulness they possess is light years beyond me.
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