A co-founder of the Drug User Liberation Front (DULF) in Vancouver expressed surprise at Health Canada’s perceived lack of urgency in addressing the current deadly toxic drug crisis. Due to the absence of a pharmaceutical-grade supplier, the club resorted to procuring pure substances from the dark web.
Jeremy Kalicum provided testimony during a constitutional challenge to Canada’s drug laws at the B.C. Supreme Court. As a public health researcher, Kalicum detailed how DULF initially engaged with Health Canada, presenting two operational models. The preferred model aimed to access pharmaceutical-grade heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine.
During cross-examination by Crown lawyer Oren Bick, Kalicum emphasized the club’s desire to collaborate with Health Canada to establish a drug “compassion club.” This club would test illicit drugs and provide members with high-purity substances to mitigate overdoses. Despite their efforts, regulatory constraints hindered their ability to secure a licensed supplier.
Acknowledging the limitations, Kalicum mentioned that the alternative proposal involved sourcing drugs from the dark web. He criticized Health Canada for not prioritizing public health proposals during a critical public health crisis in British Columbia.
The court learned that DULF founders aimed to spark public discourse through media coverage but were subsequently arrested. Kalicum admitted that while media visibility posed risks, they were cautious in their interactions with journalists due to funding agreements that required discretion.
The compassion club operated from August 2022 to October 2023, receiving annual funding of $200,000 from Vancouver Coastal Health for drug checking and overdose prevention. However, beyond these services, DULF purchased and tested drugs independently to prevent overdoses, financed by donations and sold at cost to members.
Although the co-founders face drug trafficking charges, their conviction awaits the outcome of the constitutional challenge. Kalicum attributed their arrests to media engagement, feeling let down by various institutions. He highlighted their commitment to transparency through publishing research findings and legal challenges to overturn laws restricting drug possession for trafficking purposes.