Tag Archives: Garth Mullins

Health

BC’s Opioid Lawsuit Win No Cause for Celebration, Say Advocates

By Moira Wyton, The Tyee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A British Columbia-led lawsuit against more than 40 pharmaceutical companies has resulted in a proposed $150-million settlement with Purdue  Pharma Canada for health-care costs related to the company’s marketing  of opioid pain medications.

But advocates say the  lawsuit is also an exercise in distracting the public from the  government’s failure to make changes — including introducing safe supply  — that would have saved thousands of lives lost to toxic drugs.

Continue reading BC’s Opioid Lawsuit Win No Cause for Celebration, Say Advocates →
Health

worst year on record for drug overdoses: 1,716 deaths

National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Where’s the plan?

That was the dominant question asked Thursday as B.C.’s chief coroner Lisa Lapointe announced 1,716 people died from toxic street drugs in 2020, marking the worst year on record for the province.

Continue reading worst year on record for drug overdoses: 1,716 deaths →
Health

BC should take steps to DECRIMINALIZE illicit drug use

National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The B.C. government should take its own steps to decriminalize illicit drug use to help stem surging overdose deaths instead of calling on the federal government to do it, say disillusioned advocates.

Continue reading BC should take steps to DECRIMINALIZE illicit drug use →