B-C has announced the appointment of a chief scientific advisor with a focus on people experiencing complex mental health and addictions challenges.
The province says psychiatrist and public health specialist Dr. Daniel Vigo will start in the role immediately.
His work will focus on what Premier David Eby described as a "rapidly emerging" group of people suffering from overlapping challenges, including brain injuries stemming from overdoses.
Eby says people need specialized care to avoid repeated trips to the emergency room, and Vigo will review existing supports and best practices from elsewhere to identify measures that could be adopted in B-C.