The latest news articles featuring BC Centre on Substance Use.
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,...
BC Fails to Slow Rising Deaths from Toxic Drugs
February 09, 2022 | The Tyee
Toxic drugs killed 2,224 people in British Columbia in 2021, the highest number ever, the BC Coroners Service reported today. In November and December — the most deadly months on record with 210 and 215 people dead — an average of seven people died every day. Despite government promises of actio...
