Drug Advisory Committee

Mandate

Promote safer and healthier communities through proactive leadership by addressing and influencing prevention, enforcement, harm reduction and treatment of substance abuse.

Objectives

1. Education/Prevention:  Develop clear and consistent communication about the harmful effects of drugs.
2. Drug-Endangered Children: Advocate for federally legislated additional penalty when endangering children in the commission of the substantive offence.
3. Synthetic Drugs: Under development.
4. Cannabis: Provide expert advice and guidance on the legalization of cannabis.
5. Opioid Crisis: Work with stakeholders to identify new evidence-informed strategies.

Significant Accomplishments 2017-2018

• Delivered presentations to House of Commons and Senate Standing Committees on CACP positions on cannabis.
• Provided CACP with policy considerations for police members/safety sensitive positions on consuming cannabis.
• Participated in the development of  training materials for front-line officers, conducted media interviews on behalf of the CACP and worked with Drug Free Kids Canada to endorse and deliver public safety messages.
• Presented at several conferences on behalf of the CACP including, “Pillars of Change - Priorities for Addressing the Opioid Crisis” put on by Health Canada and the US Consulate.
• Made a presentation to the CACP Board of Directors to stand up a Special Purpose Committee to develop a position on the decriminalization of drugs.  DAC is represented on this committee.
• Advocated for changes to the Canada Post Corporation Act (CACP Resolution) and to federal pill press legislation.
• Developed information brief for the CACP on supervised consumption sites and pill press legislation.
• Worked with Health Canada on Bill C-37 on changes such as expedited destruction of drug exhibits, the Good Samaritan Law.

Initiatives Planned for 2019

• Support the implementation of legalized cannabis by addressing identified issues, continuing to work as subject matter experts for the CACP, and develop public messaging regarding legalized cannabis and public safety.
• Advocate for change on the Canada Post Corporation Act, based on the corresponding CACP resolution.
• Co-chair the CACP Special Purpose Committee and prepare a position paper for the CACP Board of Directors on the police position on decriminalization models.
• Research key issues around the increase in methamphetamine in eastern provinces, identify gaps and develop resolution(s) to address illicit labs and organized crime involvement in meth production.