Close X
Monday, November 11, 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

B.C.'s Horgan heads to California for climate deal

B.C.'s Horgan heads to California for climate deal
The premier says the leaders expect to sign a memorandum agreement on climate approaches for the region. Horgan says B.C. and the U.S. West Coast states are facing similar climate-related issues, including wildfires, weather events and wild salmon declines, and the jurisdictions are looking for ways to work together.

B.C.'s Horgan heads to California for climate deal

Port Moody Police investigate tire slashing spree

Port Moody Police investigate tire slashing spree
On Tueaday a series of vehicle owners contacted the Port Moody Police Department reporting that their tires had been slashed overnight sometime between October 3 at 9 p.m. and October 4 at 9 a.m. These incidents occurred on View Street and Highview Place and are all believed to be connected. 

Port Moody Police investigate tire slashing spree

B.C. premier cites 'multi-faceted' crime approach

B.C. premier cites 'multi-faceted' crime approach
B.C. Premier John Horgan says the New Democrat government's crime-fighting agenda involves more than increasing arrests of alleged violent offenders. Horgan says he agrees with Attorney General Murray Rankin who told the legislature on Tuesday that a focus on more arrests of prolific offenders to curb crime would be "futile."  

B.C. premier cites 'multi-faceted' crime approach

Gas prices creep higher as OPEC Plus cuts output

Gas prices creep higher as OPEC Plus cuts output
Gasoline prices in Canada continue to creep higher ahead of the Thanksgiving long weekend. And while the price of crude oil slumped in September, with the international benchmark Brent sagging as low as US$84 in recent days after spending most of the summer months over $100 per barrel, it jumped on Wednesday after the OPEC Plus alliance of oil-exporting countries decided to sharply cut production.

Gas prices creep higher as OPEC Plus cuts output

Federal government introduces diabetes framework

Federal government introduces diabetes framework
Health Minister Jean-Yves Duclos and the federal government have tabled a new and long-awaited plan in the House of Commons to improve access to diabetes treatment and prevention in Canada. Liberal MP Sonia Sidhu called for the framework as part of a private member's bill that became law in 2021.

Federal government introduces diabetes framework

Vancouver police probe Komagata Maru vandalism

Vancouver police probe Komagata Maru vandalism
The VPD says it launched an investigation Tuesday after being alerted by a social media post that the glass covering the memorial in Coal Harbour had been shattered. Const. Jason Doucette says officers are looking into any links to what he called a "similar crime" in which glass sections of the Olympic Cauldron less than 200 metres away were smashed on Saturday morning.

Vancouver police probe Komagata Maru vandalism