The latest news articles featuring BC Centre on Substance Use.
Psychedelic experience improves therapists’ ability to deliver ketamine therapy
September 25, 2024 | UBC Okanagan News
Therapists report that their personal experience with psychedelics helps them build stronger connections with patients and a heightened sense of competence in delivering ketamine-assisted therapy (KAT), according to a new study from UBC Okanagan. The research, led by Dr. Elena Argento, Tashia Petker...
B.C. Conservatives vow to shut down safe-consumption sites
September 23, 2024 | CBC News
The B.C. Conservatives have promised to shut down all drug consumption sites and replace them with mental health and addictions treatment centres if they win the upcoming provincial election. But critics say the plan flies in the face of evidence-based research that shows such sites save people from...
Will the B.C. NDP’s reversal on involuntary care move the needle on treatment?
September 16, 2024 | Vancouver Sun
A day after Premier David Eby announced a re-elected NDP government would explore an expansion of involuntary care for people with several mental health and addictions issues, some drug user advocates and addiction researchers say not enough has been done to provide care for those willing to parti...
Critics slam B.C. premier’s involuntary care announcement, cite lack of evidence
September 16, 2024 | CTV News Vancouver
The B.C. premier’s announcement to introduce involuntary care for people with serious addiction and mental health issues is being met with pushback from critics who say the decision isn’t evidence-based and will cause more harm. Dr. Kora DeBeck, a professor at the school of public policy at Simo...
B.C. suspends harm-reduction vending machines pending review
September 12, 2024 | CBC News
Automated kiosks that dispense harm-reduction supplies on Vancouver Island have been suspended or removed while the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions conducts a review. The kiosks, which had been placed at hospitals in Nanaimo, Campbell River and Victoria in the fall of 2023, offered free acc...
