Toxic Drug Supply

• B.C. report into overdose crisis calls for big boost in publicly funded treatment, recovery beds

  The committee, chaired by NDP MLA Niki Sharma, made the recommendations after hearing from 118 presenters and reading more than 880 written submissions.

  Health

  Nov 1
  
• Opioid-dependent patients worry changes to Alberta’s prescription methods will be harmful

  A new provincial strategy to fight addiction could backfire, according to patients. Harm reduction advocates say the changes could put people at higher risk for opioid poisoning.

  Health

  Oct 17
  
• Advertisement
• Deaths among B.C.’s unhoused population jumped 75% between 2020 and 2021

  A preliminary report found 247 people experiencing homelessness died last year. Of those deaths deemed "accidental," 93 per cent were caused by the illicit drug supply.

  Health

  Oct 12
• Advertisement
• Island Health issues toxic drug warning for Greater Victoria, B.C.

  Island Health officials are worried about the illicit drug supply in the area, as some of it may be tainted and toxic.

  Health

  Oct 6
• Okanagan saw toxic drug deaths surge this summer

  Nearly 1,300 deaths due to toxic drugs have been reported to the BC Coroners Service between January and July, which is a record number for the first seven months of a year.

  Crime

  Sep 15
• More than 10,000 have died from illicit drug use since B.C. declared public health emergency

  According to the BC Coroners Service, the number of overdose deaths recorded between January and June 2022 is the highest ever recorded in the first six months of a calendar year.

  Canada

  Aug 16
• 28 drug poisonings reversed because of Lifeguard app: Interior Health

  If the person using the app doesn't hit a button to stop the alarm, the alarm grows louder and will trigger medical assistance with a call to ambulance services.

  Health

  Jun 24
• B.C. man awaiting extradition to U.S. for alleged dark web drug and money laundering operation

  The B.C. RCMP's Federal Serious and Organized Crime team began investigating an alleged dark web global drug trafficking vendor called "Canada1" in 2017.

  Crime

  Jun 16
• Advertisement
• NDP decries defeat of national drug decriminalization bill: ‘Blood on their hands’

  NDP's Singh said he is disappointed the government has refused to provide a national approach to the toxic drug supply crisis, which has caused tens of thousands of deaths.

  Health

  Jun 1
• Advertisement
• B.C.’s Southern Interior launches text alerts of toxic drugs

  The Toxic Drug Alerts system uses text messaging to send alerts as a public health measure for the prevention of drug poisonings and deaths.

  Health

  May 31