Close X
Sunday, November 24, 2024
ADVT 
National

Liberals Face Pressure To Act On Safer Drug Supply Amid Opioid-Related Deaths

The Canadian Press, 27 Feb, 2019 09:25 PM

    OTTAWA — The Trudeau government is facing pressure to make safer opioids available to people who use street drugs as overdose deaths continue to increase.


    The push is coming from public-health advocates and from at least one Liberal MP from Toronto, Nathaniel Erksine-Smith.


    British Columbia's provincial health officer has called for Ottawa to look at the issue of supply, saying B.C. and other parts of the country are grappling with a poisonous street-drug supply that is killing people because they can't tell what's in the drugs they use.


    Richard Elliott, the executive director of the Canadian HIV/AIDS Legal Network, said it is necessary to address the toxicity of the drug supply to reduce the number of deaths.


    His organization was part of a coalition that pointed to toxicology results from across Canada showing opioids on the illegal market are often contaminated with extra-potent fentanyl.


    Health Canada said in a statement that its minister, Ginette Petitpas Taylor, asked officials in the fall to explore options to address the toxic supply.

    MORE National ARTICLES

    Statistics Canada Says Adults Living With Parents Usually Employed And Single

    Statistics Canada Says Adults Living With Parents Usually Employed And Single
    OTTAWA — A Statistics Canada report is digging deeper into what kind of adults live with their parents at a time when more are doing so than ever before.

    Statistics Canada Says Adults Living With Parents Usually Employed And Single

    Wilson-Raybould Resignation Stokes Anger, Frustration Within Veterans Community

    Jody Wilson-Raybould's resignation from cabinet this week has stoked long-standing frustration, disappointment and anger among Canada's veterans, who say they have been ignored and betrayed by the Trudeau government.

    Wilson-Raybould Resignation Stokes Anger, Frustration Within Veterans Community

    Syrian Chocolatier To Hire, Mentor Refugees: 'They Come Here To Contribute'

    Syrian Chocolatier To Hire, Mentor Refugees: 'They Come Here To Contribute'
    ANTIGONISH, N.S. — A one-time Syrian refugee who founded a thriving Nova Scotia chocolate company has announced plans to hire and mentor other refugees.

    Syrian Chocolatier To Hire, Mentor Refugees: 'They Come Here To Contribute'

    'Will You Marry Me?' Edmonton Man Surprises Woman With Billboard Proposal

    Laurie Moring had an inkling something was up by the time she and her boyfriend were on their way to a Valentine's Day lunch.

    'Will You Marry Me?' Edmonton Man Surprises Woman With Billboard Proposal

    Alberta Minor Hockey Team Criticized For Indigenous Dance Video Forfeits Season

    We as parents are saddened for our children, as the rest of the season was compromised, and they couldn't play the game they love due to fear from threats, anxiety and humiliation

    Alberta Minor Hockey Team Criticized For Indigenous Dance Video Forfeits Season

    'Trudeau Is Just The Worst:' Manitoba Teacher Investigated For Insulting P.M.

    MIAMI, Man. — A rural Manitoba school division says it is investigating after a gym teacher posted a photo to Facebook showing him holding a sign insulting Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

    'Trudeau Is Just The Worst:' Manitoba Teacher Investigated For Insulting P.M.