The latest news articles featuring BC Centre on Substance Use.
Why were toxic drug deaths in B.C. down 21% in 2025?
March 01, 2026 | CBC News
New research using drug-checking results could provide an insight into why toxic drug death tolls have been on a downward trend for two years now in B.C. But scientists and officials say there are likely multiple factors behind exactly why the number of drug-related deaths in B.C. dropped by 21 p...
B.C. to distribute free nasal naloxone but experts wary of funding set to end next year
February 25, 2026 | CBC News
Harm reduction advocate Leslie McBain’s heart leapt when she heard the news that nasal naloxone kits would soon be free across B.C. McBain, who cofounded Moms Stop The Harm in the wake of her son’s toxic drug overdose, says having an accessible alternative to the injectable intramuscular naloxon...
In British Columbia, Drug Policy Rollbacks Are Limiting HIV Care
February 10, 2026 | Filter
Harley Ransom began practicing harm reduction in southeastern Ontario in the late 1980s, when he was 6 years old. His mother was injecting heroin, so he learned how to clean her wounds and shoplift syringes from pharmacies. His mother contracted HIV from her boyfriend, so Ransom also learned not to ...
B.C.’s drug decriminalization pilot ends, questions remain over path forward
February 01, 2026 | CityNews Vancouver
As B.C.’s drug decriminalization project comes to an end, public opinion on its effectiveness is split. The province decided against renewing the three-year pilot project, citing a lack of results. However, those familiar with the impact caused by the policy shift said it made a real difference. ...
DULF Challenge: Health Canada Official Flounders on the Stand
January 29, 2026 | Filter
A senior Canadian bureaucrat struggled on the witness stand to reconcile past statements by the federal government with its claim in court that it was not completely closed off to the idea of a non-medical safe supply model. The January 26 hearing was for a constitutional challenge to the crimin...
