Acting Right
This Act provides for the control of substances that can alter mental processes and that may produce harm to health and to society when diverted or used inappropriately. Unless an exemption applies, activities such as possession, sale, production, importation, and exportation involving controlled substances are prohibited (Health Canada, 2024).
Controlled Drugs and Substances Act
People who use drugs experience direct harm as a result of their interactions with the criminal justice system such as stigma, loss of income and employment, and loss of housing, in addition to an overrepresentation of Indigenous, racialized, and diverse populations who are criminalized. This Act outlined minimum penalties for all drug offences, which was repealed by Bill C-5 in an attempt to address these harms (Health Canada, 2023).