By Moira Wyton, The Tyee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Oregon’s overwhelming vote to decriminalize some drugs for personal use on Tuesday has experts and advocates in British Columbia wondering what it will take for the province to move in the same direction.
Continue reading Oregon votes to decriminalize some drugsthe Discourse, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
COVID19 has people at home, with less frequent opportunities for connection. The isolation increases when it is compounded with the stigma of substance use or mental health issues.
“In many cases, underlying chronic, severe trauma is related to substance use and during these dual public health emergencies it becomes even more important to increase mental health and wellness supports for BC First Nations people,” explains Dr. Nel Wieman, First Nations Health Authority’s (FNHA) acting deputy chief medical officer.
In B.C., 261 people have died of COVID-19. As of Sept. 30, 2020, 1202 people have died from overdose in the province this year.
In response to this combined crisis, the FNHA accelerated their plans to launch a virtual substance use and psychiatry service.
Continue reading Virtual mental health service improves accessBy Hannah Scott, Richmond Sentinel, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
After announcing a COVID-19 testing pilot project last month, Vancouver International Airport is almost ready to put the plan into action.
The project is a collaboration between the airport (YVR) and WestJet, and also involves the University of British Columbia as a research partner. After developing and reviewing the program, it will be available to passengers starting in early November.
Continue reading Vancouver International AIrport’s COVID testing projectCampbell River Mirror, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
A highly toxic opioid called carfentanil–an analogue of fentanyl– recently surfaced in the local illicit drug market in Sayward, reported the RCMP.
Continue reading Highly toxic opiod surfaced in SaywardThere is currently only one active case of COVID 19 in North Vancouver Island and there have been no reports of new cases anywhere on Vancouver Island since last Thursday, but British Columbia has just set a record for the highest daily rise over a three-day period. As of 4:30 PM Monday, there were 2,316 active cases, and 77 people in hospitals, on the Mainland. It is not certain that Vancouver Island will continue to remain relatively COVID free while the virus spreads throughout the rest of the province. Dr Bonnie Henry has just issued a province wide health order limiting gatherings in homes to immediate family and six others.
Continue reading Limiting gatherings in homes to immediate family and six others.
