The decriminalization of drugs in British Columbia marks a pivotal shift in Canadian drug policy, aiming to reduce stigma and treat substance abuse as a public health issue. The policy allows adults to possess up to 2.5 g of certain illicit drugs without facing criminal charges. However, the implementation has revealed significant gaps between policy and practice. Police officers across the Lower Mainland (the southwestern region of the province of BC, centered around the metropolitan area of Greater Vancouver and the Fraser Valley) regularly engage with individuals in crisis, many of whom are unhoused, experiencing addiction, and disconnected from society. The Vancouver Police Department has expanded several initiatives, including Car 87, which pairs officers with mental health professionals; the Assertive Outreach Team, which proactively connects high-risk individuals to services; and Assertive Community Treatment, which provides long-term, team-based psychiatric support. These programs reflect a shift toward trauma-informed, health-focused policing, yet frontline encounters and experiences continue to expose the limits of current resources. This analysis is supported by publicly available sources, including official police documents, academic literature, and government and news publications. The findings point to a growing tension between health-focused policies and rising public concern over disorder and safety.