The latest news articles featuring BC Centre on Substance Use.
On the heels of record overdose deaths, B.C. announces 180 free treatment beds
January 25, 2024 | Vancouver Sun
A day after B.C.’s chief coroner pleaded for more action to stem the toxic drug crisis following the deadliest year on record, Premier David Eby unveiled a plan to add 180 treatment beds that would be free of charge to users. However, critics say the move creates a three-tiered system where some w...
Toxic-drug deaths in B.C. hit record high last year, coroner says
January 24, 2024 | Times Colonist
A record 2,511 people died of suspected toxic-drug overdoses last year, the highest annual toll ever recorded — and almost one-fifth were from Vancouver Island. The death toll had dipped in 2019 to fewer than 1,000 deaths, but spiked back up to more than 2,300 two years later. B.C. chief coroner L...
Rally Supports Vancouver Compassion Club Providing Tested Drugs
January 17, 2024 | The Tyee
Around 400 people gathered at the Vancouver courthouse Tuesday to support Eris Nyx and Jeremy Kalicum, co-founders of the Drug User Liberation Front. The pair were scheduled to make their first court appearance after their October arrests. But they didn’t end up getting their day in court. Instead...
‘Safe Supply’ of Rx Opioids Saved Lives in British Columbia
January 16, 2024 | Pain News Network
Prescribing opioids and other medications to people with substance use disorders significantly reduces their risk of dying, according to a large new study in British Columbia. The findings add weight to efforts to create a “safe supply” of legal medications for patients at risk of an overdose f...
Prescribing safer alternatives to potentially deadly street drugs saved lives: B.C. study
January 11, 2024 | Vancouver Is Awesome
VANCOUVER — Researchers in British Columbia have published a study that suggests prescription opioids prevent overdose deaths among people with an addiction to potentially toxic street drugs. They found that those who were prescribed at least one day’s supply of opioids were 55 per cent less...
