Overdose Crisis

• Penticton fire department responding to spike in overdose calls

  The Penticton fire department and B.C. ambulance services work hand in hand to respond to the numerous overdose calls.

  Health

  Jan 17
  
• B.C. expands program aimed at preventing overdose deaths in construction industry

  Minister Sheila Malcolmson says the program was developed last year in partnership with people in the industry who have experience with illicit drug use.

  Health

  Jan 13
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• B.C. paramedics, dispatchers responded to record-setting 35,525 overdose calls in 2021

  Surrey saw the greatest increase in overdose calls with 3,764 calls in 2021, a leap of 50 per cent from 2020, according to BC Emergency Health Services.

  Health

  Jan 12
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• COVID-19, unmarked graves top 2021 news stories in Saskatchewan

  COVID-19, hundreds of unmarked graves at a former Saskatchewan residential school and a prolonged drought were the top stories in the province in 2021.

  Canada

  Dec 29, 2021
• 2021 another grim year for drug overdoses in Saskatchewan

  A total of 406 people in Saskatchewan died of suspected or confirmed overdoses during the first eleven months of 2021. It surpasses the all-time high of 328 recorded in 2020.

  Health

  Dec 26, 2021
• B.C. records deadliest month due to illicit drug overdoses in province’s history

  The BC Coroners Service said 201 people died from suspected illicit drug toxicity deaths in October, while 2021 to date continues to be the deadliest year ever for such deaths.

  Health

  Dec 9, 2021
• Illegal drug supply in Okanagan more toxic, increased overdose risk: Interior Health

  High fentanyl amounts and benzos are mostly being found in drugs sold as 'down' but there are reports of opioid and benzo effects in stimulants.

  Health

  Nov 12, 2021
• B.C. government announces new addiction treatment services

  Fraser Health is getting new addictions medicine teams that will offer expertise to hospital-based patients.

  Health

  Nov 9, 2021
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• California judge rules in favour of drugmakers in $50B lawsuit over state opioid crisis

  It marked the first trial win for any drug companies in the more than 3,300 lawsuits filed by states and local governments over the U.S. drug abuse crisis.

  World

  Nov 1, 2021
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• B.C. formally asks Ottawa for exemption to decriminalize illicit drug possession

  B.C. has officially submitted its application to become the first province to ask Ottawa for the exemption from Health Canada.

  Health

  Nov 1, 2021