By Michelle Gamage, The Tyee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
British Columbians will get four new cancer care centres that can offer radiation treatment as the province gets ready for an increase in cases of age-related cancers.
Health Minister Adrian Dix said Thursday that new cancer care centres will be opening in Kamloops, Nanaimo, Surrey and Burnaby.
Continue reading BC Promises Four New Cancer Care Centres
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
By Patrick Penner, Tri-Cities Dispatch, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Port Moody’s frontline staff may soon receive training with naloxone kits to help save people suffering from a lethal dose of drugs.
Following the 7th anniversary of the provincial declaration of the public health crisis in April, Port Moody councillors vowed to take more action.
Continue reading Port Moody to explore training city’s frontline staff on use of naloxone kits
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 John Boivin, Valley Voice, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
British Columbia’s emergency health workers are finding themselves in a pretty good place as they mark Paramedic Services Week in the province in 2023.
“It’s an exciting time to join BCEHS,” says Sara Thomas, the manager of clinical operations for Kootenay West. “With changes to the collective agreement, it’s creating quite a bit of excitement on the recruitment front – being able to offer living wages, more full-time and part-time jobs – is going to go a long way to recruiting and retaining paramedics on a local level.”
Continue reading New contract already improving conditions for province’s paramedics
