National

Despite council support, VCH no longer considering contentious drug consumption site

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 15 Feb, 2024 10:54 AM

Vancouver Coastal Health says it is no longer considering a stand-alone supervised consumption site in Richmond, British Columbia.

The decision was announced late Wednesday in a statement from VCH, which said that, based on the latest Public Health data, such a facility would not be the most appropriate service for those at risk of overdose in the community.

It noted that the Richmond Local Health Area is reporting a comparatively low rate of drug toxicity deaths, adding that those numbers are slowly coming down.

The media release went on to suggest that stand-alone sites work best in communities where there is a significant concentration of people at-risk, since people will not travel far for these services.

The change in plans also comes days after the matter was discussed at Richmond City Hall. Following two days of heated debate, council voted 7-2 in favour of exploring the possibility of establishing such a site for people with addictions in the city.

VCH says it will continue to work with the city to bolster other overdose prevention services, to keep people safe and to continue expanding access to addiction treatment.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

1 year pilot project to provide free menstrual supplies in 15 facilities across Delta

The City of Delta has launched a one-year pilot project to provide free menstrual supplies in 15 facilities across the city. Pads and tampons are now available at washrooms of the city’s public facilities and they will be replenished in the same way toilet paper and paper towel are in washrooms.

1 year pilot project to provide free menstrual supplies in 15 facilities across Delta

Truth and Reconciliation Commission calls to action won't be done until 2081: report

A new report from the Yellowhead Institute says Canada won't complete all 94 of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission's calls to action until 2081. The institute found that no calls to action were completed over the course of 2023.

Truth and Reconciliation Commission calls to action won't be done until 2081: report

Pharmacare not a priority for most and East Coast outages persist

As Liberals and New Democrats negotiate what a future national drug plan should look like, a new survey suggests pharmacare is not at the top of the priority list for most Canadians. The survey shows that when asked to name their top two health-care priorities, only 18 per cent of those surveyed said the government should prioritize creating a new, universal, single-payer drug plan.

Pharmacare not a priority for most and East Coast outages persist

CRA has fired 185 employees for 'inappropriately' claiming COVID-19 CERB benefits

The Canada Revenue Agency says 185 employees have been fired to date for claiming a federal COVID-19 benefit when they were not eligible for it. That's an increase of 65 since the CRA last updated the public on its review in September.

CRA has fired 185 employees for 'inappropriately' claiming COVID-19 CERB benefits

BC company forfeits 10M to Province

A B-C company has forfeited 10 million dollars to the province over allegations it provided payment services for people around the world who ran scams aimed at elderly seniors. Solicitor General Mike Farnworth says a settlement agreement with PacNet Services is the largest such confiscation in the history of its civil forfeiture program.

BC company forfeits 10M to Province

Ban on single-use-plastic bags, straws or utensils in stores & restaurants starting tomorrow

Shoppers should expect to see no single-use-plastic bags, straws or utensils in stores and restaurants starting tomorrow, as new federal single-use plastics rules take effect. Cities like Vancouver and Victoria have already have their own rules in place.