Prosecutors told to go after only the most serious drug possession offences

Federal prosecutors are being instructed to prosecute only the most serious drug possession offences criminally.

This is part of a new guideline issued by the director of public prosecutions, which says criminal prosecution should be “reserved for the most serious manifestations of the offence.”

It’s designed to let prosecutors focus on the cases raising public safety concerns, while pursuing suitable alternative measures for simple possession cases.

This move appears consistent with the federal Liberal government’s approach to illegal drugs being more a public health issue than a criminal one.

In their first mandate, the Liberals legalized the recreational use of cannabis.

However, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau rejected calls to decriminalize possession of other harder drugs.

Instead, the Liberal platform in last fall’s election promised to make drug treatment court the default option for first-time non-violent offenders charged exclusively with simple possession.

It also promised to help drug users get quick access to treatment.