Illicit Drug Overdoses

• Opioid crisis: $150M settlement reached in B.C.-led lawsuit to recoup health-care costs

  The Canadian arm of Purdue Pharma has agreed to a settlement in B.C.'s 2018 proposed class-action lawsuit against more than 40 opioid manufacturers and distributors.

  Health

  Jun 29, 2022
  
• B.C. to officially request federal exemption to decriminalize drug possession

  Since April 14 2016, the BC Coroners Service reports illicit drugs have claimed the lives of at least 7,072 British Columbian residents around the province.

  Health

  Apr 14, 2021
  
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• Metro Vancouver’s top doctor calls for safe drug supply as fentanyl overdoses rise

  Vancouver Coastal Health's chief medical health officer has released a report arguing for better integration of services and decriminalizing hard drugs.

  Jul 26, 2019
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• Calls ramp up for decriminalized hard drugs as B.C. breaks overdose death annual record

  The BC Coroners Service reports 1,489 people died of drug overdoses compared to 1,420 illicit drug overdose deaths in 2017.

  Health

  Feb 7, 2019
• Province not considering changing social assistance cheque distribution for now

  The provincial government will not be changing the distribution of social assistance cheques after a record breaking day of overdoses in Vancouver.

  Politics

  Jul 30, 2018
• Drug deaths down in May in B.C. compared to a year earlier

  The number of have illicit drug overdose deaths went down in May compared to a year ago.

  Health

  Jun 26, 2018
• Vancouver lifeguards can administer Naloxone – if they’re trained to do it

  A well-known advocate claimed Vancouver lifeguards couldn't administer the drug. That's not the case, says the city.

  Health

  Mar 26, 2018
• April’s ‘Welfare Wednesday’ single worst day for recorded overdose calls in B.C. history

  The B.C. opioid crisis has reached a new level, with authorities confirming Wednesday was the worst day on record for overdoses in the province.

  Health

  Apr 27, 2017
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• December deadliest month of 2016 for Interior Health region overdoses

  The latest B.C. Coroners numbers show the overdose crisis in the Okanagan and across the province has reached new heights.

  Health

  Jan 18, 2017