The latest news articles featuring BC Centre on Substance Use.
‘Benzo-dope’ may be replacing fentanyl: Dangerous substance turning up in unregulated opioids
August 11, 2021 | The Conversation
Canada has seen a drastic shift in the unregulated drug supply with the emergence of benzodiazepine-adulterated opioids (also known as “benzo-dope”). Benzodiazepines have been detected in as many as 60 per cent of overdose deaths in British Columbia. Recent data from B.C. has observed a steady ...
Calgary MP asks health minister to study poppers, potentially opening door for safe supply
August 09, 2021 | CBC News
A Calgary MP is asking the federal health minister to study the possible benefits or harms of “poppers” — a drug primarily used by men who have sex with men — with the possible outcome of creating a safe supply. Calgary Nose Hill MP Michelle Rempel Garner said in a letter to federa...
While street drug testing is new to Saskatchewan, in B.C. it’s helped prevent overdoses for years
August 05, 2021 | CTV News Saskatoon
SASKATOON — On Tuesday the provincial government announced it would be funding drug testing strips to detect two potentially deadly substances sometimes found in street drugs. While the drug testing strips are new to Saskatchewan, other jurisdictions such as B.C. have incorporated them into th...
Ending Eviction Moratoriums Means More Drug Users Will Die
August 04, 2021 | VICE
Just before Guy Felicella overdosed for the first time, his dealer warned him to take a lower dose than usual. It was 2013 and fentanyl was beginning to crop up more in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, ground zero for Canada’s overdose crisis. “He just told me it’s a really strong batch of dop...
Canadian study finds lesbian, gay and bisexual youth with depression more likely to increase cannabis use
July 20, 2021 | Regina Leader-Post
A Quebec researcher looking at mental health and cannabis among young people found the association between depression and greater weed use was markedly higher in lesbian, gay and bisexual (LGB) than heterosexual youth. LGB youth were more likely to use more cannabis “following an increase in their...
