In October 2021, the Canadian Drug Policy Coalition in partnership with the John Howard Society, Indigenous Harm Reduction Network, and the Gilbert Centre, conducted a two-day community dialogue. The discussion focused on the effects of drug criminalization policies on health, human rights, the toxic drug supply, and the ongoing drug poisoning crisis.

A report was published in April this year, outlining five key recommendations. These are: the creation of a municipal task force; exploring a potential request for the decriminalization of illicit drugs; enhancing immediate access to deeply affordable housing; offering harm reduction training for municipal staff and municipally-funded social service agencies; and establishing collaborative, multi-sectoral decision-making tables that involve individuals with first-hand experience of substance use.

We hosted a panel discussion involving Denise Baldwin, Community Engagement and Education Coordinator at Canadian Drug Policy Coalition, Beeta Senedjani, Dialogues Program Coordinator, at Canadian Drug Policy Coalition and Sarah Tilley, Harm Reduction Program Manager at Gilbert Centre.