A Canadian legislator has voiced opposition to a proposed bill intended to deter drug use among students, citing concerns about the potential for stigmatizing individuals.

Stephanie Higginson, a member of the British Columbia Legislative Assembly, spoke out against the Drug Use Prevention Education in Schools Act during a session on Monday.

This legislation seeks to incorporate drug use prevention education and enforce anti-drug messaging in educational institutions.

Higginson, affiliated with the BC NDP, a social democratic political party, expressed her apprehension about the bill’s focus on explicitly discouraging drug use in schools.

“I am deeply concerned that this bill may adopt a misguided and potentially harmful approach that could ultimately cause more harm than benefit,” she stated.

She further criticized the proposal, describing it as an outdated tactic reminiscent of the “Scared Straight” programs from the 1980s that she recalled from her own youth.

‘The bill mandates a curriculum that explicitly discourages drug use and promotes stigma against drug use as a deterrent. This language is deeply concerning.’

Higginson argued that stigmatizing drug use will discourage students from asking for help.

British Columbia Legislative Assembly member Stephanie Higginson (pictured) said she is ‘deeply concerned’ about ‘explicitly discouraging drug use’ in schools

A recent report found that some of the highest number of unregulated drug deaths in 2025 thus far were in Vancouver and Central Vancouver Island, which includes Higginson’s district. An overdose prevention tent is pictured in Vancouver. 

‘The Drug Use Prevention Education in Schools Act has a compassionate name, but it discards evidence-based approaches in favor of outdated messaging that oversimplifies the complex realities faced by students and staff in schools today,’ she said.

The lawmaker noted that she supports protecting children, but does not think this bill will achieve that. 

‘We all want the children of this province to grow up healthy, safe, and informed. As a parent, as a former secondary school teacher, as a former school trustee, I fully support the goal of protecting youth from the harms of substance use,’ she said.

Higginson represents the Ladysmith-Oceanside district on Vancouver Island.

A recent report from the British Columbia Coroners Service found that some of the highest number of unregulated drug deaths in 2025 thus far were in Vancouver and Central Vancouver Island, which includes Higginson’s district.

An average of five people per day died from unregulated drug use on British Columbia in July and August this year.

Additionally, the agency found that there has been an increase in youth, under 19 years old, suspected drug toxicity deaths this year.

Between January and August 2025, there has been 21 youth suspected drug toxicity deaths, compared to 15 deaths in the same period last year. 

Higginson, who is a member of the social democratic political party BC NDP, argued that stigmatizing drug use will discourage students from asking for help

Assembly member Steve Kooner (pictured), who introduced the bill, said he finds it ‘deeply concerning’ that Higginson’s is opposed to the bill

British Columbia Legislative Assembly member Steve Kooner, who introduced the bill, said Higginson’s remarks were shocking.

‘I find it deeply concerning that this government can’t put their radical ideology aside for a single second to protect BC school kids from life-destroying drugs,’ he said on X.

Fellow Member of the Legislative Assembly Heather Maahs also blasted Higginson for opposing the bill. 

‘In other news NDP don’t like drug prevention programs in school. Apparently it stigmatizes drug use. I really thought Steve’s bill was a no brainer. Wait…,’ she said.