The latest news articles featuring BC Centre on Substance Use.
Benefits and risks of B.C.’s prescribed safer drug supply
February 02, 2024 | Global News
Dr. Sharon Vipler from the BC Centre on Substance Use weighs in on B.C.’s safer drug supply program, its strengths and where it needs to improve....
Toxic drug crisis: B.C. experts urge expansion of ‘safe supply’ to save lives
February 01, 2024 | Global News
B.C. public health experts are urging the province to expand the current “safe supply” program, which prescribes clean drugs to a few thousand opioid users. According to Health Canada, safer supply is defined as “providing prescribed medications as a safer alternative to the toxic illegal drug...
MLA’s call to end B.C.’s drug decriminalization program misguided: advocate
January 30, 2024 | CityNews Vancouver
A BC United MLA has reached out to the federal government in hopes of putting an immediate end to B.C.’s drug decriminalization pilot program. In a letter to the federal minister for mental health and addictions, Elenore Sturko says she believes the province hasn’t proved its one-year-old decrim...
Housing support offered for Richmond young adults with mental health needs
January 26, 2024 | Richmond News
A housing support program is hoping to offer personalized help to young adults in Richmond who are struggling with mental health and substance use issues. “Many (young adults) suffer from not only mental health issues and addictions, but when they’re homeless or precariously housed, the...
On the heels of record overdose deaths, B.C. announces 180 free treatment beds
January 25, 2024 | 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 w...
