Tag Archives: Karen Ward

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.

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Health

Canada’s drug policy — not drugs — is killing people at record numbers, advocates say

National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

It’s mind-boggling communities across Canada must still organize for an annual awareness day to draw public and policymakers’ attention to poisoned street drugs and an ongoing health crisis that has killed more than 21,000 people in just five years, advocates say.

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Development, Housing

From tent city to affordable housing – 58 W Hastings Street in Vancouver

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

It’s been used for a tent city twice, a community garden, a street market and informal overdose prevention site, and for an emergency  medical unit during the early days of Vancouver’s overdose crisis. Now construction of  badly-needed social housing for the Downtown Eastside, promised in 2016,  is set to start at 58 W. Hastings St. 

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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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Housing, Poverty

Strathcona Park tent city: Problem or community?

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

One evening this August, Peter Portuondo was stabbed in the arm when he attempted to block a man who was not welcome at the Strathcona Park  tent city in Vancouver’s east side. 

Continue reading Strathcona Park tent city: Problem or community? →