Premier David Eby says in a statement the change would make illicit drug use illegal in all public spaces, including inside hospitals, on transit and in parks.

The U−turn by the provincial government comes after repeated criticisms about the decriminalization polices from local politicians, health workers and police about open drug use in public spaces.

The province had tried to make drug use illegal in public places with its own legislation, but a B.C. Supreme Court judge put in place an injunction preventing that, and Eby says they’ve now asked for the same changes from Health Canada.

The change would mean guidance will be given to police to "only arrest" people for simple possession in "exceptional circumstances."

The government says the change would not recriminalize drug possession in private homes or places where someone is legally sheltering, along with overdose prevention sites and locations with drug−checking services.

The province says the changes are among several new measures that focus on providing police with more tools to address public safety while "offering support and access to treatment for people living with addictions."

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 26, 2024.

The Canadian Press