National

B.C. to take next step against tainted drug deaths

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 01 Nov, 2021 09:44 AM

VICTORIA - British Columbia is ready to announce its next step in preventing future drug poisoning deaths.

Mental Health and Addictions Minister Sheila Malcolmson is to make an announcement today about efforts to combat the ongoing public health crisis.

Figures released in September from the BC Coroners Service show there were 1,204 illicit drug toxicity deaths between January and the end of July, a 28 per cent jump over the same period in 2020.

The coroner says the first seven months of this year were the deadliest since a health emergency was declared in 2016, and July was the 17th straight month in which more than 100 B.C. residents died from a toxic drug supply.

Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, chief coroner Lisa Lapointe, an overdose prevention worker and Senator Larry Campbell, a former B.C. chief coroner and former police drug squad member, are to join Malcolmson at the event.

The B.C. government announced Friday that it had opened a new type of treatment centre in Coquitlam, allowing patients to be treated for mental health and additions issues at the same time.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Meng's extradition case dropped in B.C.

The Huawei executive emerged from the court without her ankle bracelet and read a statement thanking the judge, the Crown lawyers and the Canadian people for their tolerance, while apologizing for the inconvenience.

Meng's extradition case dropped in B.C.

743 COVID19 cases for Friday

There are 5,979 active cases of COVID-19 in the province and 174,281 people who tested positive have recovered. Of the active cases, 319 individuals are in hospital and 149 are in intensive care. The remaining people are recovering at home in self-isolation.

743 COVID19 cases for Friday

VPD investigates disturbing Downtown Eastside attack

The victim, a 22-year-old Downtown Eastside resident, was standing in front of the Downtown Eastside Women’s Centre at Columbia Street and East Cordova when he felt a sharp pain in his leg and realized he’d been shot. With an arrow lodged just below his kneecap, the victim walked a block to Insite, where staff gave first aid and called 9-1-1.

VPD investigates disturbing Downtown Eastside attack

Federal deficit hit $48.5 billion in July

The Finance Department's regular fiscal monitor says the budgetary deficit between April and July was just under $48.5 billion, down from the almost $148.6 billion recorded over the same months in 2020 when COVID-19 first struck.

Federal deficit hit $48.5 billion in July

Vote count could spill into weekend

Officials started counting mail ballots on Friday morning in Nanaimo-Ladysmith, a three-way battle between the NDP, Tories and Greens, according to Elections Canada. Votes tallied on election night from polling stations suggest the NDP have a narrow lead in the B.C. riding.

Vote count could spill into weekend

Some health triage has begun in Alberta: doctor

Parks said that in recent days some critically ill COVID-19 patients who should have been on ventilators were not getting them. That's on top of previously announced mass cancellations of surgeries, along with patient transfers, as doctors balance medical need with available space, he said.