The latest news articles featuring BC Centre on Substance Use.
Health minister says forced addictions treatment lacks evidence, feds won’t intervene
June 03, 2025 | Vancouver Is Awesome
OTTAWA — Federal Health Minister Marjorie Michel says there’s no evidence that forcing people into addictions treatment works — but she won’t weigh in on whether provinces should pursue involuntary treatment. “I will tell you that I think every single Canadian has the right to get treated,...
The Fight Over Forced Rehab
May 26, 2025 | Maclean's Magazine
As a teenager in Los Angeles, Marshall Smith earned a reputation as a party boy. He moved to British Columbia after high school and continued to drink throughout his twenties while working in the provincial corrections system, first as a guard and later in administrative roles. In 2001, he took a jo...
Inquest into UVic student’s fatal overdose recommends improvements to B.C. and campus emergency response
May 14, 2025 | CBC Radio - On The Coast
It’s been almost a year and a half since University of Victoria student Sidney McIntyre-Starko died after taking fentanyl. The coroner’s inquest has made recommendations to the University of Victoria, for campus security, 911 services, and others moving forward. Gloria sits down with research sc...
New hope for people with stimulant use disorder
May 14, 2025 | Michael Smith Health Research BC
Every day in British Columbia, five people lose their lives to unregulated drug toxicity. It is a crisis that demands new solutions. April 14, 2025 marked the ninth anniversary of BC declaring the toxic drug crisis a public health emergency. Thousands have passed away from drug poisoning in the ...
Remembering Trey Helten, a DTES Pillar and ‘Best Friend’
May 08, 2025 | The Tyee
Trey Helten, who dedicated his life to helping others day and night in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, has died. Helten, 42, was an advocate and an activist, a punk who loved karaoke and believed in people’s resilience, an artist, animal lover and dedicated friend. “He didn’t have boundaries ...
