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.
Continue reading Municipal governments respond to public drug consumption amid decriminalization project
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.
Continue reading Will BC Towns’ Bylaws Undermine Drug Decriminalization Pilot?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.
Continue reading Greater Campbell River: before and after vaccinationsThough 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.
Continue reading COVID update: A seven-fold increase in Greater Campbell RiverThis 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.
Continue reading COVID 19 this past week in North Vancouver Island
