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- Friday - Jan 16 - Drug decriminalization
Friday - Jan 16 - Drug decriminalization
Plus, youth throw rocks at man in Mission, causing head injury
Emily Edwards
January 16, 2026
☀️ High 11C
Good morning!
BC has ended its three-year drug decriminalization pilot project, with Health Minister Josie Osborne announcing the province won't renew its federal exemption that allowed possession of small amounts of drugs for personal use. This story comes from our Victoria-based sister publication, Capital Daily, and explores why the experiment didn't deliver hoped-for results despite its goal of treating addiction as a health issue.
Closer to home, Ridge Meadows RCMP are searching for a missing 43-year-old woman and have asked that anyone with information on her whereabouts contact the Ridge Meadows RCMP at 604-463-6251 and quote file #2026-789.
– Emily
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News & Features
BC pulls the plug on drug decriminalization
Photo: Province of BC / Flickr
The pilot project, which began three years ago and allowed the legal possession of small amounts of drugs for personal use, will be abandoned at the end of the month.
Yesterday, BC Health Minister Josie Osborne announced the province won’t be asking the federal government to renew its exemption to Canada's Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
Osborne said the idea was to make it easier for people struggling with addiction to reach out for help without getting into trouble—but it didn’t work.
“Despite the hard work and good intentions behind the pilot, it has not delivered the results we hoped for,” she said in a release.
Under the exemption, British Columbians 18 and over were allowed to possess up to 2.5 grams of certain illicit substances, including heroin, fentanyl, MDMA, methamphetamine, and cocaine, without fear of being busted or facing criminal charges.
The goal was to treat addiction as a health issue, as opposed to a criminal one, thus reducing stigmas that often blocked an addicted person from seeking help.
Critics say the experiment didn’t do enough to prevent overdose deaths, and, at the same time, it heightened public concern.
The BC Coroners Service said last year, on average, five people in this province died each day from drug toxicity. Habitually, the province’s third-most unregulated drug deaths happen here in Greater Victoria—Vancouver and Surrey are usually 1-2—including 104 such deaths through the first 10 months of last year.
Osborne said her government still considers addiction a health issue, not a justice issue, and it will focus on treatment and care.
“We will continue learning, adapting, and trying new approaches to turn the tide on this crisis and ensure people can get the care they need without fear, stigma, or judgment.”
As to how that affects policing, the RCMP said it will continue to apply “a measured approach to our enforcement efforts, while upholding the safety and security of the communities we live and serve in.”
Need to Know
🔍 Ridge Meadows RCMP are searching for 43-year-old Melissa Olson, last seen January 5 in Maple Ridge, who may be travelling in a charcoal grey 2015 Nissan Murano with BC license plate JG2 09M. [Ridge Meadows RCMP]
💰 BC opened a three-month application window for Disaster Financial Assistance covering 80 per cent of eligible uninsured damage over $1,000 up to $400,000 for individuals and businesses affected by December 10-19 flooding, with applications due April 13. [Chilliwack Progress]
🪨 A 45-year-old man suffered a head injury after a group of youth aged 16 to 18 threw rocks at him near Logan Avenue and Park Street in Mission on January 6, with police using business footage to identify the suspects. [Mission Record]
👶 Fraser-Cascade School District confirmed Saltair Child Care Society as the new daycare operator for Hope and Agassiz schools after a review found the RFP process was fair and transparent, with Saltair scoring higher than other applicants in programming and staff qualifications. [Hope Standard]
🚒 Langley Township firefighters responded to two major structure fires within two hours early Tuesday morning in South Langley near 20 Ave., deploying eight apparatus and about 20 firefighters to each blaze with no injuries reported. [Langley Advance Times]
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🗓 Things to do
Almsgiving Hope Cinema and Performance House Grand Opening: The new Hope cinema celebrates its official opening on Saturday, January 17 at 3:00 PM with screenings of Florence Foster Jenkins at 3:30 PM and American Graffiti at 7:00 PM.
The Snowed In Comedy Tour: Four award-winning comedians perform stand-up on Tuesday, January 21 at 7:30 PM at Chilliwack Cultural Centre, featuring headliner Dan Quinn and openers Paul Myrehaug, Pete Zedlacher, and Erica Sigurdson with tickets from $50 to $60.50.
Taste Around Abby: Six Abbotsford restaurants offer exclusive three-course fixed-price menus from January 21 to February 4, featuring participating venues including Amici Italian Wine Bar, Bow & Stern, and Restaurant 62 with prices ranging from $40 to $70.
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