Tag Archives: Charmaine Enns

Municipal governments respond to public drug consumption amid decriminalization project

By Alexandra Mehl, Ha-Shilth-Sa, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

On Jan. 31, 2023, the province of British Columbia decriminalized personal possession of some drugs, which would allot for 2.5 grams of opioid (heroin, morphine, and fentanyl), crack and powder cocaine, methamphetamine, and MDMA (ecstasy) for personal use, for a three year period.

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Will BC Towns’ Bylaws Undermine Drug Decriminalization Pilot?

 

The Tyee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

B.C.’s three-year pilot drug decriminalization program is aimed at reducing the barriers and stigma that prevent people from accessing life-saving supports and services. 

But since the possession of  small amounts of drugs was decriminalized on Jan. 31, some  municipalities have looked at bans on public drug use that advocates  warn undermine the provincial effort.

In Campbell River, the city decided to  implement its own bylaws three days before decriminalization took  effect, banning and ticketing public use of controlled substances. 

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Greater Campbell River: before and after vaccinations

North Island Medical Health Officer Dr Charmaine Enns recently gave Campbell River’s city council an overview of the pandemic’s impact on the Greater Campbell River Health Area, before and after vaccinations.

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COVID update: A seven-fold increase in Greater Campbell River

Though the number of active cases within Island Health is still relatively small, they have doubled in a little over a week.

The increase is especially marked in North Vancouver Island, where they went from 10 to 56 in seven days.

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COVID 19 this past week in North Vancouver Island

This past week was the deadliest British Columbia has seen since the pandemic began. Dr Bonnie Henry reported 24 more deaths yesterday, which brings the total number of fatalities since last Friday to 105. The number of active cases in the province is close to 10,000.

However, there is also good news. 

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