PS268 Chapter Notes - Chapter 3: Indictable Offence, Health Promotion, Morphine
Chap 3: Drug Policy
The History of Drug Regulations:
-prior to 1908 Canada did not have regulations, federal or provincial, for governing use of
drugs
-tabacco and alcohol were considered more of a threat to society/health than opium
-beginnings of drug regulations were driven by public fear of Chinese and Japanese immigrants
and was fuelled by monetary and political agendas
-Chinese immigrants began immigrating to BC in 1850s and were willing to work for lower
wages, lived in communities where opium dens were known
-government received tax revenue from opium factories in immigrant communities and through
licensing fees
The Opium Act of 1908:
-Mackenzie King realized 1) opium smoking was growing in popularity among Whites 2)
Chinese merchants were making considerable profits through opium trade 3) opium trade was
in violation of current provincial pharmacy legislation 4) as a Christian nation, Canada had a
moral responsibility to serve as a leader in the then-international campaign against opium use
-made elimination of the opium menace an immediate goal and passed first prohibitionist drug
policy
-1908 Opium Act made it an indictable offence to import, manufactor, andoffer to sell or
Document Summary
Prior to 1908 canada did not have regulations, federal or provincial, for governing use of drugs. Tabacco and alcohol were considered more of a threat to society/health than opium. Beginnings of drug regulations were driven by public fear of chinese and japanese immigrants and was fuelled by monetary and political agendas. Chinese immigrants began immigrating to bc in 1850s and were willing to work for lower wages, lived in communities where opium dens were known. Government received tax revenue from opium factories in immigrant communities and through licensing fees. Mackenzie king realized 1) opium smoking was growing in popularity among whites 2) Made elimination of the opium menace an immediate goal and passed first prohibitionist drug policy. 1908 opium act made it an indictable offence to import, manufactor, andoffer to sell or possess to sell opium for non medical purposes but did not prohibit simple possession or use thus the demand continued. Lead to development of black market for opium.
