The latest news articles featuring BC Centre on Substance Use.
Health Canada’s rebuff of compassion clubs predates DULF: Here’s why it matters
March 09, 2026 | The Mainlander
Compassion clubs have resurfaced in recent years as a response to the toxic unregulated drug crisis in British Columbia (BC), and more specifically the need for community-based safer supply programs and models that meet the needs of people who use drugs. Compassion clubs – membership-based and com...
Double trouble: New drug on B.C. streets brings hallucinations, vomiting, ICU after overdose
March 02, 2026 | CTV News
For months, British Columbia’s health officials have been issuing warnings about a new street drug that’s sent overdose calls soaring, but the risk of withdrawal hasn’t been well understood. The animal tranquilizer, medetomidine, has been found mixed with the opioid fentanyl in up to half of...
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...
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 ...
