Tag Archives: Drug Overdoses

Health

Vancouver asks for an exemption from Canadian drug laws

By Jen St. Denis, The Tyee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Vancouver’s council made history this week by asking the federal government for an exemption from Canadian drug laws to decriminalize possession of drugs for personal use.

Council voted on the motion  the same day the BC Coroners Service reported 1,386 people have died so  far this year of an overdose, with deaths increasing as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. 

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Health

Specialized support needed to protect young people from illicit drug overdoses

Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

As the death toll from illicit drug overdoses continues to mount unabated in B.C., advocates want more specialized services and harm reduction measures to help protect young people.

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Health

Will Vancouver be the first Canadian city to decriminalize drugs?

By Moira Wyton, The Tyee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Vancouver could become the first Canadian city to decriminalize the possession of illicit drugs in an effort to prevent increasing numbers  of overdose deaths.

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Politics, Poverty

Low income families: don’t expect radical reforms from the NDP

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“the Pulse” @ Vancouver Co-Op Radio, CRFO 100.5 FM, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter and rebroadcast over the Oct 30, 2020 edition of Cortes Currents.

Although Premier Horgan’s $10-a-day childcare pledge would be a game-changer for many, Simon Fraser University’s Stewart Prest said other important issues — renters rights, welfare rates, homelessness and drug laws — got sideswiped off the election campaign stage by COVID-19. The political scientist in Vancouver said people hopeful for radical reforms from the newly elected B.C. New Democrat majority government should probably brace for some disappointment.

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Health, Indigenous Nations

Virtual mental health service improves access

the Discourse, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

COVID19 has people at home, with less frequent opportunities for connection. The isolation increases when it is compounded with the stigma of substance use or mental health issues.

“In many cases, underlying chronic, severe trauma is related to substance use and during these dual public health emergencies it becomes even more important to increase mental health and wellness supports for BC First Nations people,” explains Dr. Nel Wieman, First Nations Health Authority’s (FNHA) acting deputy chief medical officer.

In B.C., 261 people have died of COVID-19. As of Sept. 30, 2020, 1202 people have died from overdose in the province this year. 

In response to this combined crisis, the FNHA accelerated their plans to launch a virtual substance use and psychiatry service.  

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