A bold experiment in British Columbia, designed to reshape the approach to drug use, is drawing to a close. Three years ago, the province embarked on a decriminalization pilot project, a move heralded as a compassionate step toward reducing stigma and saving lives amidst a devastating overdose crisis.
![VANCOUVER, B.C., January 14, 2026 - Scenes from the DTES as the BC Government has announced the termination of their hard drug decriminalisation programme, in Vancouver, B.C., January 14, 2026. (NICK PROCAYLO/PNG 10110338A [PNG Merlin Archive]](https://smartcdn.gprod.postmedia.digital/torontosun/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/png0114ndecrim-01_300749846.jpg?quality=100&strip=all "VANCOUVER, B.C., January 14, 2026 - Scenes from the DTES as the BC Government has announced the termination of their hard drug decriminalisation programme, in Vancouver, B.C., January 14, 2026. (NICK PROCAYLO/PNG 10110338A [PNG Merlin Archive]")
