Policing interactions and outcomes under shifting decriminalization policies in British Columbia: insights from people who use drugs

In January 2023, British Columbia (BC) implemented a three-year decriminalisation initiative, removing criminal sanctions for adults possessing up to 2.5 g of certain illegal drugs. In May 2024, the policy was amended, restoring penalties for possession in public spaces. Although these shifting legal frameworks may affect how people who use drugs experience policing, limited research has examined their perspectives. As part of a national evaluation, we conducted qualitative interviews with 75 people who use drugs across BC. This analysis focused on 41 participants who reported drug-related police encounters during the initial decriminalisation or amendment periods. We applied an integrated content and thematic analysis to examine experiences across both policy phases. Participants described modest improvements in police treatment and a greater sense of protection during decriminalisation. However, reports of drug confiscations involving quantities below the legal threshold undermined these perceived gains. Following the amendment, participants described heightened surveillance, searches, confiscations, and detention or arrest, often interpreting police encounters as more punitive. Housing status, geography, and race/ethnicity shaped participants’ exposure to police and perceived treatment. Across both periods, participants remained uncertain about how police would respond and continued to express concerns about criminalization. These findings demonstrate that drug policy reforms must be assessed not only through formal changes in law or enforcement outcomes, but also through how people who use drugs experience legal protection. Participants recommended improved police education addressing harm reduction and stigma, clearer accountability, and expanded access to housing, health, and harm reduction services.