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Quantitative Evaluation of the Impact of Decriminalization on Health and Criminal Justice Outcomes

​To assess the impacts of decriminalization we are examining a variety of indicators over time using routinely collected provincial (BC-specific) and National statistics. These statistics will be assessed on an annual or bi-annual basis, based on availability, starting with ten years prior to the implementation of the decriminalization policy (~2012). For each of the proposed indicators outlined below, data will be analyzed using interrupted time series (ITS) modeling which will determine changes in these indicators over time from pre-decriminalization to post-decriminalization. 

The following indicators will be examined:​

Health 

  • Emergency Room (ER)/Hospitalizations for illicit substance use

  • Harm Reduction service visits

  • Overdose calls to paramedics

  • Overdose deaths

  • Opioid Agonist Treatment (OAT) engagement/prescriptions

  • Substance Use Disorder (SUD) diagnoses

  • Substance use patterns and trends

  • Quality of life 


Police 

  • Number of seizures, arrests, charges, and criminal records for personal possession, trafficking, and drug-adjacent crimes (e.g., public drug use) 

  • Number of other serious crimes

  • Police and court time and resources spent on enforcement or prosecution of personal possession of illicit substances 

  • Number of individuals incarcerated for drug-related offenses​