The latest news articles featuring BC Centre on Substance Use.
Spike of unregulated drugs mixed with benzodiazepines creating targeted violence: experts
February 12, 2022 | CityNews
Vulnerable people who use unregulated drugs in B.C. are not only at risk of dying from the illicit toxic supply, but are facing risks to their safety like gender-based violence, according to advocates and health care professionals. Along with the alarming provincial reports that 2,224 people died of...
What is safe supply? A look at what B.C. drug users, advocates are demanding
February 11, 2022 | Vancouver Sun
B.C.’s chief coroner renewed a call for access to safe, regulated pharmaceutical alternatives this week as she reported a record number of overdose deaths from toxic, illicit drugs. “In order to save lives in this public-health emergency, we need to provide people with access to the substances t...
These 5 myths about B.C.’s toxic drug crisis are hurting efforts to stop the deaths, say experts
February 11, 2022 | CBC News
In the five years and 10 months since B.C. declared a public health emergency because of drug-related deaths, the problem has only gotten worse. Statistics released by the B.C. Coroners Service this week confirmed that 2,224 lives were lost in 2021, making it the deadliest year on record. Advocate...
Benzodiazepines are now ‘a major problem’ in illicit drug supply
February 10, 2022 | DATAC
Across Canada, provincial health experts and authorities have expressed concerns due to the growing incidence of detection of benzodiazepines in the illicit drug supply. According to the findings of a report released by the BC Coroners Service, the detection of benzodiazepines – a class of psych...
Advocates give out drugs, push for better safe supply after B.C. breaks overdose record
February 09, 2022 | CTV News Vancouver
In a moment of silence and remembrance, a few dozen people shouted out the names of friends and loved ones who died last year due to a drug overdose. As they honoured those they have lost, drug user advocates also took the opportunity to hand out 0.1-gram doses of cocaine, heroin or methamphetamine,...
