Opioid Overdose Crisis

• Drug decriminalization unlikely to be pursued by most provinces despite B.C. approval

  Provincial and territorial officials who reacted to Tuesday's approval or spoke with Global News indicated they will not follow B.C.'s lead, at least not right away.

  Health

  May 31
  
• Advocate calls for B.C.’s drug-checking program to be scaled up

  Checking illicit drugs for deadly toxins is the best option to prevent fatal overdoses without a safer supply, but that service should be expanded says an advocate for drug users.

  Health

  Feb 19
  
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• Toronto Board of Health votes in favour of application to decriminalize drug possession

  Toronto's Board of Health has voted unanimously to ask the federal government to decriminalize possession of small amounts of illegal drugs in the city.

  Canada

  Dec 6, 2021
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• Toronto’s top doctor recommends decriminalizing possession of small amounts of illegal drugs

  Dr. Eileen de Villa says in a report to the city's board of health that Toronto should ask the federal government to permit simple possession of all drugs.

  Canada

  Nov 29, 2021
• There are growing calls for drug decriminalization. Could it solve Canada’s opioid crisis?

  Canada needs a coordinated, national drug possession policy that should be designed to tackle opioid overdose mortalities, experts say.

  Health

  Nov 9, 2021
• B.C.’s top doctor urges compassion in emotional response to record-breaking overdose deaths

  "We must all show the compassion we have shown in addressing the COVID crisis," said Dr. Bonnie Henry as she responded to news 170 people had died of overdoses in May.

  Jun 11, 2020
• Free fentanyl test strips to be distributed in Vancouver Coastal Health region

  For the first time in British Columbia, the public will be able to check drugs at home with take-home fentanyl test strips.

  Jan 16, 2020
• Canada-U.S. opioid plan helps rebuild relations frayed from trade talks

  The ranking U.S. diplomat on drug enforcement policy is to visit Ottawa in July to kick-start a fresh round of co-operation between the two countries on tackling the opioid crisis.

  Canada

  Jun 29, 2019
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• New approach for opioid crisis, say police

  Ontario Provincial Police say they have undergone a big shift in their approach to overdoses as the opioid crisis deepens.

  Canada

  Jun 7, 2019
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• ‘Alarming increase’ in opioid overdoses, deaths across Ontario: OPP

  Since September 2017, officers have administered naloxone on 79 occasions and saved 73 lives, police say, with the highest number of naloxone doses being administered in March and April.

  Health

  Jun 6, 2019