BC Overdose Crisis

• Protests, marches and memories: B.C.’s toxic drug crisis emergency marks 9 years

  B.C. Health Minister Josie Osborne and provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry issued a joint statement marking the sombre anniversary.

  Health

  Apr 14, 2025
  
• More females are dying of toxic drugs in B.C. as latest numbers released

  Illicit drug deaths are down slightly in British Columbia from the same period last year, but the coroners service says females are dying at a much higher rate.

  Health

  Oct 24, 2024
  
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• B.C. grief camp says more families seeking help due to drug crisis

  Lumara said it has seen a five-fold increase in the number of people seeking help after losing a loved one to drugs and staff say they are struggling to keep up with demand.

  Health

  Sep 10, 2024
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• B.C. kept on cutting edge of the legal landscape around drug use

  In 2021, the Vancouver-based Drug User Liberation Front approached Health Canada with a proposal to buy heroin, cocaine and methamphetamine on the dark web.

  Health

  Jul 18, 2024
• Tattoo photos released as police try to identify woman who died in Vancouver

  Reviews of missing persons reports and exchanges with other law enforcement agencies have failed to turn up a name for the woman, Vancouver police said Tuesday.

  Health

  Feb 20, 2024
• ‘No more silence’: Hundreds protest in Richmond after safe consumption site debate

  Protesters repeatedly chanted, "No more silence!" and waved signs that read, "The silent majority has awakened," and "We elected you, and we can vote you out."

  Politics

  Feb 19, 2024
• Ending drug decriminalization won’t ‘save a single life’: B.C. minister on anniversary

  On Jan. 31 last year, B.C. was granted a three-year exemption under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act allowing adults to carry up to 2.5 grams of certain illicit drugs.

  Health

  Jan 31, 2024
• 83 new treatment and recovery beds to open in B.C. this summer

  The B.C. government touted the "record expansion" one day after the chief coroner revealed more than 2,500 people had died from the toxic drug crisis in B.C. in 2023.

  Health

  Jan 25, 2024
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• More than 2,500 people died of toxic drugs in B.C. in 2023, driven by fentanyl

  Unless British Columbia meaningfully expands its safer supply model, it will continue to "count the dead" from toxic unregulated drugs, said Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe.

  Health

  Jan 24, 2024
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• B.C. study finds users who are prescribed opioids are less likely to die the next week

  In addition to finding those with the prescription were less likely to die, researchers found they were also 55-per cent less likely to overdose the week after having it filled.

  Health

  Jan 11, 2024