Framing decriminalization: A mixed-methods study on media narratives, government resources, misinformation, and public support of British Columbia’s drug decriminalization policy
These findings highlight critical gaps in government communication and the dominance of misrepresentative media framing in shaping public attitudes. Effective drug policy requires not only legislative change but also proactive, coordinated, and sustained public education strategies to counter misinformation, reduce stigma, and build lasting support.
Authors
- Farihah Ali (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2968-3824)
- Elaine Hyshka (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5785-8890)
- Mark Asbridge (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2168-6377)
- Kurt Lock
- Cayley Russell (ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9634-9554)
- Shannon Chellew Paternostro
- M. Eugenia Socias
- Louisa Degenhardt
- Jürgen Rehm
- Sameer Imtiaz
- Dan Werb
Institutions
- St. Michael's Hospital (CA)
- Dalhousie University (CA)
- Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CA)
- Universität Hamburg (DE)
- Simon Fraser University (CA)
- UNSW Sydney (AU)
- Mental Health Research Canada (CA)
- British Columbia Centre on Substance Use (CA)
- University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (DE)
- Alberta Health (CA)
Publication Details
- Journal
- International Journal of Drug Policy
- Published
- 2025-12-30
- DOI
- https://doi.org/10.1016/j.drugpo.2025.105123
- Citations
- 1
- Primary Topic
- HIV, Drug Use, Sexual Risk
- Type
- article
- Field-Weighted Citation Impact
- 1.35