Canada Opioid Crisis

• ‘Safer supply’ programs necessary to save lives amid overdose crisis: Saks

  Data shows a majority of overdose deaths between January and June 2023 involved fentanyl, an opioid experts warn has become increasingly tainted with even more toxic substances.

  Health

  Feb 20
  
• Feds will join class action lawsuit against McKinsey over opioid marketing

  The legal action against McKinsey & Company was brought forward by British Columbia in December 2021 over the firm's alleged marketing campaigns to boost opioid sales. 

  Canada

  May 19, 2023
  
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• Amid grim opioid death projections, Ottawa faces calls to move faster on safe supply

  New federal data paints a grim picture of the fatal toll the opioid crisis is having on Canadians, prompting calls for greater access to safe-supply programs.

  Health

  Jun 30, 2022
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• B.C. is decriminalizing small amounts of drugs. Why Ottawa should follow suit

  British Columbia is the first province to make changes to ensure drug users will not be arrested or charged for carrying up to 2.5 grams of illicit drugs as of next year.

  Canada

  Jun 21, 2022
• Jurisdictions pushing to decriminalize small amounts of drugs as overdose deaths soar

  Some Canadian cities and provinces are trying to decriminalize possession of small amounts of drugs in their jurisdictions as thousands of people die of overdoses each year.

  Canada

  Apr 3, 2022
• Trudeau urged to decriminalize illicit drugs as opioid deaths continue to soar in Canada

  Almost 70 organizations from across the country have written a letter to Trudeau asking that he make drug policy reform a priority for his newly re-elected Liberal government.

  Health

  Oct 20, 2021
• O’Toole to allow safe injection sites, fund opioid recovery centres

  Vancouver has been the epicentre of an opioid crisis that saw British Columbia record 1,176 illicit drug overdose deaths in 2020 — the highest ever in a single year.

  Canada

  Aug 22, 2021
• 17 Canadians died per day from opioids in 2020 amid COVID-19 crisis, PHAC says

  The agency says at least 21,174 people have died from apparent opioid toxicity between 2016 and 2020.

  Canada

  Jun 23, 2021
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• Ontario’s big city mayors call for decriminalization of drugs

  The appeal comes as the Ontario Drug Policy Research Network (ODPRN) reported 2,426 opioid-related deaths in 2020, a 60 per cent increase from 2019.

  Politics

  Jun 23, 2021
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• Canada’s police chiefs support decriminalizing drug possession. Is change coming?

  Experts say the police chiefs' recommendation is "a long time coming" and are hopeful it will spur lawmakers to craft new policies.

  Canada

  Jul 10, 2020