On the heels of record overdose deaths, B.C. announces 180 free treatment beds

published on January 25, 2024 by Katie DeRosa in Vancouver Sun

A day after B.C.’s chief coroner pleaded for more action to stem the toxic drug crisis following the deadliest year on record, Premier David Eby unveiled a plan to add 180 treatment beds that would be free of charge to users.

However, critics say the move creates a three-tiered system where some will get treatment free, others will pay $45 a day for a partly subsidized bed, and others will pay private facilities hundreds of dollars a day.

And the plan doesn’t address concerns that B.C. still lacks a centralized wait-list to determine how many people are waiting for treatment.

Eby and Addictions Minister Jennifer Whiteside were in Vancouver on Thursday to announce 180 treatment beds that will be fully funded by the government, to the tune of $73 million over three years…