Close X
Saturday, November 30, 2024
ADVT 
National

Dozens of recommendations in B.C. overdose report

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 01 Nov, 2022 01:44 PM
  • Dozens of recommendations in B.C. overdose report

VICTORIA - An all-party committee at British Columbia's legislature has released a report on drug toxicity and overdose deaths that calls for dozens of urgent steps from the province to address the deadly crisis.

The more than three dozen recommendations include ensuring continuity of care for at-risk people, expanding a take-home naloxone program, and engaging with health-care providers to reduce barriers in prescribing a safe supply of drugs.

The report also seeks a "substantial increase" in funding for recovery and detox programs, while recommending overdose and mental health calls be redirected from police to more specialized responders whenever possible.

The committee says since beginning work in April, it heard stories of "agony, frustration and hope" from almost 1,000 oral and written submissions, and that the crisis represents a "staggering loss."

Sheila Malcolmson, minister of mental health and addictions, says in a statement that the report's recommendations "reaffirm" the approach the government is already taking.

A provincial coroner’s report released in September says the rate of toxic drug deaths is 42 people per 100,000, twice what it was in April 2016 when the government declared a public health emergency over the rising rate of overdoses.

"As the illicit drug supply gets increasingly more toxic, we face a rising tide of need in British Columbia. There is more to do to tackle this public health emergency," Malcolmson said.

Committee chair Niki Sharma said in a news release that its members heard some residents aren't able to access life-saving services.

"The committee's report makes recommendations to further scale up government's response to ensure that all British Columbians can access high-quality substance-use support and care when they need it," Sharma said.

The committee's recommendations also include funding Indigenous-led and designed substance-use supports, increasing funding for public awareness and anti-stigma initiatives, and integrating a mental health option in 911 calls.

Committee member Sonia Furstenau, leader of the B.C. Greens, said in a statement that the report's recommendations did not go as far as she had hoped.

MORE National ARTICLES

Housing strategies abound in Vancouver mayor race

Housing strategies abound in Vancouver mayor race
Statistics Canada data published last month confirmed that B.C. leads the country as the province with the highest rate of unaffordable homes, due largely to the number of people paying high rents to live in downtown Vancouver. The city's home price-income unaffordability is also routinely ranked among the worst in the world.

Housing strategies abound in Vancouver mayor race

Stink bug invasion: Pests thrive in B.C. heat

Stink bug invasion: Pests thrive in B.C. heat
The brown marmorated stink bug, an invasive species in Canada, is thriving in the province this season thanks to summer-like weather extending into the fall months, experts say. Although population counts aren't readily available, the unwelcome intruder is earning notice across the Fraser Valley, Metro Vancouver and parts of the Okanagan, particularly Kelowna.

Stink bug invasion: Pests thrive in B.C. heat

Crown seeks 12 years for Amanda Todd harasser

Crown seeks 12 years for Amanda Todd harasser
The Crown is seeking a 12-year prison term for 44-year-old Aydin Coban, who was convicted in August of several offences related to an unrelenting online attack aimed at Port Coquitlam teen Amanda Todd. She endured three years of online stalking and abuse as Coban hid behind aliases and threatened and blackmailed her, before she took her own life in 2012 when she was 15.  

Crown seeks 12 years for Amanda Todd harasser

Vancouver Police investigating after Downtown Eastside shooting

Vancouver Police investigating after Downtown Eastside shooting
Just before 11:00 this morning, the VPD received 9-1-1 calls reporting a man standing at East Hastings and Columbia Street had just fired a gun, then ran out of the area. The witnesses also reported bear spray had been deployed around the same time.

Vancouver Police investigating after Downtown Eastside shooting

Make work-hour pilot permanent: student advocates

Make work-hour pilot permanent: student advocates
The International Sikh Students Association has long been calling for this change, and launched a petition early this year to move that cap from 20 to 30 hours to up the quality of life for students. Jaspreet Singh, who founded the association, said the government's decision to temporarily lift the cap came as a surprise.

Make work-hour pilot permanent: student advocates

Victoria man reported missing in Spain found dead

Victoria man reported missing in Spain found dead
A statement from Victoria police says 67-year-old Scott Graham was last seen in Madrid. The statement says his body has been located but it doesn't say where or when. He was suffering from a medical condition that had the potential to become life-threatening without medication and the alert in August said Graham's family was "deeply concerned" about his disappearance. 

Victoria man reported missing in Spain found dead