Saskatchewan not ready for drug decriminalization: Saskatoon mayor [Video]

Saskatoon mayor Charlie Clark says that, right now, he doesn’t think drug decriminalization is the way to tackle the addiction crisis in Saskatchewan.

“I don’t foresee at this stage us being in a position to go further down the decriminalization pathway,” Clark said an in interview with CTV News.

But he says it’s still important to work on harm reduction efforts, ensuring supports are available, and tackling root causes to address the drug crises that have gripped the province’s cities.

Clark said the last time decriminalization was brought up at a Board of Police Commissioners meeting, they said they would be monitoring things in British Columbia after it was granted a three-year exemption to federal drug laws in early 2023.

The move decriminalized possession of small amounts of illicit drugs including heroin, methamphetamine and cocaine.

In April, the B.C. government asked to end the pilot early over concerns about rampant …