BC Drug Crisis

• Drug use in B.C.’s hospitals sparks feisty debate in the legislature

  The Official Opposition, B.C. United, called out the government over a string of stories about illegal drug use in hospitals, with users allowed to leave their beds.

  Politics

  Apr 11
  
• Suspected arson at Gastown condo building damages numerous suites

  The building's sprinkler system extinguished the fire quickly and there was only minor fire damage but a number of units sustained water damage.

  Fire

  Apr 8
  
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• Work never stops for Vancouver’s Overdose Prevention Society even on Christmas

  The overdose prevention society runs several tents across Vancouver's Downtown Eastside neighbourhood, including one on East Hastings Street.

  Health

  Dec 27, 2023
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• ‘Critically important’: B.C. needs safe places to inhale drugs, coroner says

  Nearly two-thirds of the overdose deaths in British Columbia this year came after smoking illicit drugs.

  Health

  Oct 1, 2023
• Dr. Bonnie Henry urges patience as delegates vote on drug crisis resolutions this week

  Henry says decriminalization is meant to remove the label from drug users to promote safer use and to save lives.

  Health

  Sep 18, 2023
• City of Campbell River bans all drug use on public property

  Council approved the bylaw just days before B.C.'s three-year decriminalization trial came into effect. Those caught using drugs in public places could face a $200 fine.

  Health

  Feb 2, 2023
• ‘It is hell on earth’: Federal Conservative leader on how B.C. is managing its drug crisis

  According to the B.C. Coroners Service, there were 529 deaths from illicit drugs in the province in 2015. That number rose to 2,272 in 2022.

  Politics

  Feb 1, 2023
• B.C. toxic drug deaths double since 2016

  Grim statistics from British Columbia's coroner show the rate of toxic drug deaths has doubled since the province declared a public health emergency in 2016.

  Health

  Sep 15, 2022
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• Calls to make overdose education mandatory in B.C. schools

  When a teenage girl collapsed on the SkyTrain in Coquitlam, B.C., passengers calling 911 thought she had fainted or was having an epileptic seizure.

  Health

  Sep 6, 2022
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• Long waitlists for treatment forces families to go to extreme lengths during B.C’s toxic drug crisis

  According to B.C’s Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions, there are 3,203 adult and youth funded community substance use beds across the province.

  Health

  Jun 3, 2022