While we've recognized the criminal law's failure in our approach to assisted dying and cannabis, we continue to undermine the human rights of sex workers and people who use drugs.
Seven years ago in Bedford, the Supreme Court struck down criminal laws against prostitution because they prevented sex workers from taking measures to increase their safety. Our current laws don't fare much better, and decriminalization is a logical next step.
In another area of consensual crime, the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police has now joined public health experts across our country to call for the decriminalization of the possession of all drugs for personal use. The status quo, in their words, "has proven to be ineffective."
On this episode, Nate is joined by Richard Elliott, the executive director of the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network, to discuss sex, drugs, and evidence-based policy.
Sex, Drugs, and Evidence-Based Policy with Richard Elliott