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The 1990's were a turbulent time for developments on the drug policy front, but ended on a disappointing note for those expecting significant reform. While the decade began with a fledgling Canadian Drug Strategy that appeared to be distancing itself from the American War on Drugs, by May 1997 the passage and proclamation of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act [CDSA] was complete (Boyd 1991; Erickson 1997; Mitchell 1991). A wealth of drug research dating back to the Le Dain Commission (1969-73) was ignored. There is a paradox here. Canada has a strong public health tradition and has tended to reduce social conflicts through fairly equal access to health care, education, and social services. Canada was one of the first countries to subject the scope and nature of modern criminal drug prohibition to intense scrutiny, and consider major reforms of its laws. Yet, the new drug law ensconced the severe maximum penalties and extensive police powers found in the previous Narcotic Control Act, and added resources to aid even more efficient arrest and prosecution of illicit drug users and sellers. Canada's allegiance to criminalization was affirmed (Erickson 1992; Fischer 1997; Giffen, Endicott, and Lambert 1991).
Of course, a tough law on the books does not always translate into actual practice. This overview will examine research relevant to the formation of the new drug law, and present the most recent trend data on drug criminalization during the 90's. As well, several emerging research and policy issues will be identified: methadone expansion, heroin prescribing and safe injection rooms, drug courts and cannabis diversion, medical marijuana and the relationship between drugs and violence. The Canadian context for future drug policy issues is likely to be shaped within the competing influences of aggressive prohibition and the more public health oriented harm reduction perspective (Institute for Research on Public Policy 1998). The evidence suggest some modification of the strict criminal justice response may be underway.
In the wake of the Le Dain Commission, a substantial research program in illicit drugs was undertaken at Ontario's Addiction Research Foundation. Investigators there and in other academic centres studied the nature of Canada's illicit drug problem, and the legal response to it, over the next decade and a half, much of the research was...