The latest news articles featuring BC Centre on Substance Use.
Overdose calls surge in Penticton as new tranquilizer emerges in drug supply
June 02, 2026 | CBC News
The fire chief of Penticton, B.C., says overdose calls have skyrocketed in recent months as a new drug has emerged in the small South Okanagan community. Last year, the fire department responded to 32 overdose calls in the first three months of the year. This year, it’s responded to 187 calls ...
Overdose prevention site in Vancouver’s downtown core not reopening: minister
May 27, 2026 | CBC News
B.C.’s health minister said Wednesday that an overdose prevention site (OPS) in Vancouver’s downtown core will not be proceeding, after backlash from the city’s mayor and business groups. The site, which was set to be the new location for an OPS that previously was in the Yaletow...
Opinion: Time to stop scapegoating overdose prevention sites
May 14, 2026 | Vancouver Sun
Last week, Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) announced that it was going to reopen the Thomus Donaghy Overdose Prevention Site in a new location in downtown Vancouver. According to Dr. Patricia Daly, VCH’s chief medical officer, downtown Vancouver has the second highest rate of overdose deaths in all...
No more ‘just say no’ — Canadian schools will soon have a roadmap to address student substance use
May 10, 2026 | The Conversation
The message to students used to be simple: “Just say no.” But in today’s schools, that message is not only outdated, it may be part of the problem. Across Canada, student substance use is a growing concern. According to the most recent national student survey, 15 per cent of students in Grade...
Advocate to return ‘disingenuous’ award after mayor’s opposition to Vancouver overdose prevention site
May 06, 2026 | CBC News
A prominent harm reduction and recovery advocate says he’s returning an honour bestowed upon him by Vancouver’s mayor amid a political battle over a proposed overdose prevention site (OPS) in the city’s downtown core. Two years ago, Mayor Ken Sim proclaimed May 29, 2024, as “...
