‘Deficiencies’ in overdose prevention programs: auditor general

published on March 19, 2024 in CBC News

British Columbia’s auditor general says two government programs aimed at curbing the death toll from the toxic-drug crisis were not “effectively implemented” by the province’s Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions and Ministry of Health.

Michael Pickup’s office released a report Tuesday on the government’s overdose prevention and supervised consumption services and the first phase of the prescribed safer-supply program, launched amid a public-health emergency that has claimed more than 14,000 lives.

“In both of these audits we found significant deficiencies in the provincewide implementation of these programs,” Pickup said in a press conference.

The audit found the ministries’ guidance didn’t include minimum service standards that ensured consistent quality and access of services, that it did not adequately respond to barriers such as local government resistance, and that a new program evaluation was needed as the health emergency evolved…