Why are police still charging youth with simple drug possession? The case for decriminalisation in Canada

Young people stopped by police while carrying drugs for personal use often swallow the substance to avoid additional charges, with potentially life-threatening consequences. Assistant Professor and Pediatric Emergency Physician Dr Kirstin Weerdenburg, and Kristyn Anderson, a Clinical Social Worker and PhD student, both of Dalhousie University, believe police discretion and decriminalisation are the way forward.

The stories are similar; before they were searched by police, young people swallowed whatever substance they had on them for personal use, to avoid ‘catching’ additional charges. Each of us has heard them repeatedly while working with youth.

Lees verder via policinginsight.com