Tag Archives: Lisa Lapointe

Health

BC’s Drug Response Isn’t Following the Evidence: Former Coroner

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By Michelle Gamage, The Tyee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Former chief coroner Lisa Lapointe recently criticized B.C.’s drug policies, saying the province’s approach to the ongoing toxic drug crisis is not evidence based. 

Lapointe, who was B.C.’s longest-standing chief coroner and held the position for 13 years before retiring in 2024, was speaking as part of a new, ongoing webinar series, “Perspectives on 10 Years in Crisis,” hosted by the Canadian Drug Policy Coalition. 

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Health

Drug checking shows unpredictable list of additives contributing to death toll

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. 

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Health

Island Health not exempt from B.C.’s record toxic street drug death toll


National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

B.C. communities large and small are suffering devastating losses as deaths from toxic street drugs reached an all-time high with 2,224 people dying from overdoses in the province last year. 

Every health authority saw a record loss of lives in 2021 as an average of six people died each day from toxic drugs, said B.C.’s Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe on Wednesday, and communities across Vancouver Island were no exception. 

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Health, Weather

BC’s death rate triples during heat wave

National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

At minimum, 486 sudden deaths occurred over the past five days in B.C. after dangerously high temperatures gripped coastal and Lower Mainland communities in an unprecedented heat wave this week.

The number is only preliminary, said chief coroner Lisa Lapointe on Wednesday, adding the toll represents a nearly 200 per cent increase over the 165 deaths that would normally occur in the province in the same time period.

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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 →