B.C. addiction, legal experts warn lack of support for offenders is a setup for failure

published on October 6, 2023 by Kristen Robinson and Darrian Matassa-Fung in Global News

B.C. experts in law, addiction and mental health said a lack of social support for chronic, repeat offenders is a setup for failure.

Mohammed Majidpour was seen leaving a Vancouver jail on Wednesday. One of his release conditions is to attend the Downtown Community Court Mental Health Program and participate in treatment but only if he consents.

Less than 24 hours later, the violent, repeat offender was seen back on the street with drug paraphernalia in hand.

“It’s really sad that we haven’t done anything to change this man’s circumstances,” said Guy Felicella with BC Centre on Substance Use.

Felicella said people are “100 per cent” being set up for failure…