Examining officers’ stance on the use of police diversion practices for drug use in British Columbia

Recent discourse highlights the need to address drug use through public health and social justice frameworks rather than criminal justice. Police diversion—redirecting individuals to health and social services instead of arrest—emerged as a key strategy in this shift. In this study, we examine qualitative interview data from thirty-six police officers across five policing regions and nine ranks in British Columbia regarding their experiences with police diversion practices related to drug law enforcement. Their perspectives informed five themes related to the discretionary nature of police diversion, its role in relieving strain on the justice system, its potential to disrupt cycles of drug use, the importance of readiness among people who use drugs, and the need for greater system capacity. The evolving drug policy landscape in British Columbia, accompanied by investments in health and social services, offers a promising context to address drug use and the criminal justice system.