Drug Policy Reform

BC vs. Vancouver: A Comparison of Decriminalization Models
BC and Vancouver have each applied to decriminalize simple drug possession. Neither model is perfect, but how do they compare?
By Caitlin Shane Caitlin Shane | Dec 09, 2021 | Blog, Drug Policy Reform

Decriminalization Done Right: A Rights-Based Path for Drug Policy
Leading human rights and public health organizations release national drug decriminalization platform for Canada.
By Sozan Savehilaghi Sozan Savehilaghi | Dec 09, 2021 | Research Reports, Drug Policy Reform

R v Ellis: A New Frontier for Sentencing Drug Trafficking Offences

BC Provincial Court’s recent decision of R v Ellis marks a departure from harsh sentencing ranges for street-based fentanyl dealers. We know that a different approach is needed—the Court listened.
By Caitlin Shane Caitlin Shane | Dec 07, 2021 | Blog, Drug Policy Reform

Pivot writes to City of Dawson Creek to oppose bylaw amendments that threaten harm reduction services
Pivot Legal Society letter to City of Dawson Creek: Proposed amendment to zoning bylaw prevents access to life saving harm reduction services.
By Sozan Savehilaghi Sozan Savehilaghi | Nov 19, 2021 | Drug Policy Reform, Letters & Statements

BC’s decriminalization plan doesn’t go far enough
Members of the Province’s Core Planning Table express grave concerns that BC’s bid to decriminalize drugs leaves behind the most marginalized drug users
By Sozan Savehilaghi Sozan Savehilaghi | Nov 01, 2021 | Press Releases, Drug Policy Reform

Report back: advocating for a made-in-BC model of decriminalization
Read an update on Pivot’s decriminalization advocacy and our conditions for supporting and providing input on a made-in-BC model.
By Caitlin Shane Caitlin Shane | Oct 21, 2021 | Blog, Drug Policy Reform

Pivot to Represent BC-Yukon Association of Drug War Survivors in BC Supreme Court Judicial Review

We are going to the Supreme Court of BC to fight for Drug War Survivors right to have a space of their own in Surrey.
By Caitlin Shane Caitlin Shane | Sep 23, 2021 | Blog, Drug Policy Reform

International treaties and conventions are not barriers to decriminalization in Canada
Full drug decriminalization is consistent with Canada's human rights obligations
By Sozan Savehilaghi Sozan Savehilaghi | Sep 10, 2021 | Drug Policy Reform, Position Papers

Grief, Rage & Resistance
Black and Indigenous women in the Downtown Eastside in conversation about the Impacts of the drug poisoning crisis.
By Sozan Savehilaghi Sozan Savehilaghi | Aug 19, 2021 | Blog, Drug Policy Reform

Rights Card on Alcohol Seizure

You can refuse consent for law enforcement to seize or dump your alcohol because it violates your charter rights and undermines harm reduction.
By Sozan Savehilaghi Sozan Savehilaghi | Jun 29, 2021 | Criminalization and Policing, Drug Policy Reform, Public Legal Education