Close X
Saturday, September 28, 2024
ADVT 
National

B.C. coroner to release report on overdose deaths

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 09 Mar, 2022 10:47 AM
  • B.C. coroner to release report on overdose deaths

VICTORIA - A report by a death review panel investigating the overdose crisis in British Columbia was scheduled to be released today by the province's chief coroner.

A statement from the coroner's office says the panel reviewed 6,000 deaths from toxic illicit drugs between 2017 and 2021.

There were 2,224 suspected overdose deaths in the province last year, which was a 26 per cent jump over the previous year.

B.C. declared a public health emergency in 2016 when the powerful opioid fentanyl created a surge in deaths.

Chief coroner Lisa Lapointe has called for more access to safe supplies of drugs as well as the expansion of treatment and recovery programs.

A similar review released in 2018 made recommendations to increase treatment and recovery programs, expand programs offering prescription medication to those who are addicted and more testing of illicit drugs.

The number of deaths started to decline in 2019, but officials have said it spiked again during the COVID-19 pandemic as more people were isolated in their homes and the supply of illicit drugs grew more toxic.

MORE National ARTICLES

People allergic to mRNA shot OK for 2nd dose: NACI

People allergic to mRNA shot OK for 2nd dose: NACI
The National Advisory Committee on Immunization says there have been cases of severe anaphylactic reactions to mRNA vaccines documented in Canada after their first dose.

People allergic to mRNA shot OK for 2nd dose: NACI

Changes to B.C. forest policy 'a start': watchdog

Changes to B.C. forest policy 'a start': watchdog
Kevin Kriese of the Forest Practices Board said the amendments are overdue and "only a start," given the complexity of implementing new forestry policies on the ground. He's keen to see a timeline, a fast pace and details on how and when the changes will take effect, he said in an interview Thursday.    

Changes to B.C. forest policy 'a start': watchdog

Quebec schools worry kids are copying 'Squid Game'

Quebec schools worry kids are copying 'Squid Game'
Several school boards in the province have recently issued statements warning parents about students imitating the games on playgrounds. The South Korean series features 456 desperate, indebted adults fighting each other to the death for a chance to win a prize worth roughly $48 million.

Quebec schools worry kids are copying 'Squid Game'

PMO says it will do all it can on school records

PMO says it will do all it can on school records
The PMO says in a written statement that it has provided more than four million documents to the centre, and if all the records haven't been supplied, "we will do everything we can" to make sure all the parties of the Indian Residential School Settlement Agreement have them.

PMO says it will do all it can on school records

B.C. premier questions COVID-19 travel rules

B.C. premier questions COVID-19 travel rules
John Horgan says he finds Ottawa's testing requirement counter to the whole point of staying safe, saying he could get a test in Vancouver, travel to the United States and come back within 72 hours using the same tes

B.C. premier questions COVID-19 travel rules

Vancouver Police appeal for witnesses to man seen with a gun downtown

Vancouver Police appeal for witnesses to man seen with a gun downtown
On October 19 at around 10:15 a.m., a man was seen by a witness walking north on Granville Street by Nordstrom holding and pointing what appears to be a gun. He then appears to engage with a person out of camera view, and makes cutting motions across his neck. 

Vancouver Police appeal for witnesses to man seen with a gun downtown