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?
By Alexandra Mehl, Ha-Shilth-Sa, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Vancouver Island, BC – A lab was shut down in late March, stopping $7.8 million worth of fentanyl and cocaine that were meant to be distributed throughout the Lower Mainland and Vancouver Island.
Vancouver Police Departments launched the Toluene Project in January to focus on criminals manufacturing and trafficking illicit drugs throughout the region.
Continue reading Drug checking shows unpredictable list of additives contributing to death toll
‘Walk With Me’ returns to Campbell River on Wednesday, November 16, 2022. Participants will sit in a circle, while the organizers describe the project and explain the context of the stories they are about to hear. They will then proceed to the walk, listening to a 40-minute-long audio on a headset. (There are static options for people with mobility issues.) After the walk is over, everyone will return to Spirit Square and reflect upon what they heard.
Continue reading ‘Walk With Me’ returns to Campbell RiverBy Katia Galati and Talha Hashmani, CJRU 1280 AM, Toronto through an LJI grant from Canada-info.ca
At the brink of capacity, the City of Toronto’s shelter system faces two crises: an increase in opioid overdoses and the challenge of housing the unhoused. At the forefront of these two crises is the question of how the city plans to make its shelter system not only safer for residents but also for surrounding neighbourhoods.
Continue reading Toronto’s Unhoused and Unprepared: The Tale of Two Crises
