Anyone's Child

could be a casualty of the

war on drugs

It’s time for drug laws that protect our families

No one doubts that drugs can be dangerous – that’s why we should do all we can to prevent children and young people from taking them. But banning drugs and criminalising those who get involved with them causes even more harm.

Canada is in the midst of an opioid crisis and drug-related deaths are at record levels. Because of prohibition, people are using contaminated street drugs containing traces of more potent and more lethal substances such as fentanyl and carfentanyl.

These deaths are avoidable and preventable: we must end prohibition.

If your child had a problem with drugs,

what do you think would help them most?

A doctor's appointment

A criminal record

Tweet Trudeau

Let those in power know you want to see a change in our approach to drugs – a change that will help keep children and young people safe.

Don’t let another young person become a casualty of our failed drug laws. It’s time for change | @anyoneschild

Justin Trudeau, 23rd Prime Minister of Canada

Tweet to @JustinTrudeau

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My daughter’s death made me see the need for drug policy reform.

Donna

We lost our son, Danny, to addiction.

Rick & Petra

How the war on drugs endangers families in Canada

Fact 1

Accidental overdose deaths are now the leading cause of accidental death in Canada, exceeding motor vehicle accidents among 18 to 64 year olds.

Fact 2

In 2016 there were 2,458 opioid-related deaths. This is about 7 people dying every day. These deaths can be prevented.

Fact 3

For every $5 spent on drug rehabilitation by the Canadian government, $95 is spent on incarceration of drug users.

Get global facts

We should do everything we can to

prevent children from taking drugs,

but if they still do, which would you rather they took?

Drugs that are:

- Of known strength & purity

- Produced in accordance

with strict medical standards

- Available with health warnings &

safe dosage information

Drugs that are:

- Of unknown strength & purity

- Cut with dangerous adulterants

- Produced by organised criminals

- Being sold to fund conflict

& corruption

Take the pledge

I pledge to spread the word about the need to reform our failed drug laws. I will tell my friends, family and politicians how the war on drugs is harming children and young people, rather than protecting them. I will encourage people to look at the evidence and consider alternative approaches – such as decriminalisation and legal regulation – that are based on care, not criminalisation.