overdose crisis

B.C. Premier David Eby speaks during a news conference about improving access to mental-health and addiction care for people in the Downtown Eastside in Vancouver, on Friday, May 31, 2024. British Columbia has announced the appointment of a chief scientific adviser to address a “growing population” of people who survived an overdose but were left with life-altering brain injuries. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns

1 man, 180 ER visits, 1 year: B.C. adds science adviser to combat drug crisis

‘He’ll advise us on new tools and give us advice to help this very specific group’

 

The BC Coroners Service says 126 children and youth have died in B.C. from toxic drug overdoses in the last five years. Over a dozen friends, family members, and outreach workers gathered in front of the Comox Valley Art Gallery on May 15, 2024 to publicly bid their last goodbyes to loved ones lost to the toxic drug crisis. (Olivier Laurin/Black Press Media)

126 B.C. children have died from toxic drugs in the last 5 years: coroner

Numbers highest among children who spent time in ministry care, those who had mental health struggles

 

Tanya Hornbuckle holds a photo of her son Joel Wolstenholme, who fatally overdosed at his home in Edmonton on Feb. 6, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO

Canada’s opioid deaths double in 2 years, men in their 20s, 30s hit hardest

Study shows sharp rise in OD deaths, demands better policies aimed at those under 40

 

B.C. Premier David Eby speaks during an announcement in Delta, B.C., on Monday, March 18, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

8 years since B.C. declared health emergency, toxic drug crisis rages on

More than 14,000 people have died since April 2016, and the numbers continue to rise

B.C. Premier David Eby speaks during an announcement in Delta, B.C., on Monday, March 18, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
A woman injects hydromorphone at the Providence Health Care Crosstown Clinic in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, B.C., on Wednesday April 6, 2016. Peer-reviewed research into British Columbia’s safer drug supply program is emerging, with two studies in international medical journals casting the strategy in different light. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Safer supply studies say B.C. gives different answers to different questions

Reduced risk of death from overdose, significant increase in opioid overdose hospitalizations

A woman injects hydromorphone at the Providence Health Care Crosstown Clinic in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, B.C., on Wednesday April 6, 2016. Peer-reviewed research into British Columbia’s safer drug supply program is emerging, with two studies in international medical journals casting the strategy in different light. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
A LifeGuard Lite device is seen mounted on a wall. The instrument is intended to help prevent fatal overdoses in supportive housing sites by notifying staff and 911 dispatchers if a resident doesn’t indicate that they are okay within one minute of ingesting a drug. The company behind the device, LifeGuard Digital Health, says it saved 29 lives in B.C. between April 2023 and March 24, 2024. (Photo courtesy of LifeGuard Digital Health)

Overdose prevention device saved 29 lives in B.C. in last year, maker says

LifeguardLite allows supportive housing residents to notify staff and 911 if drug ingestion goes wrong

A LifeGuard Lite device is seen mounted on a wall. The instrument is intended to help prevent fatal overdoses in supportive housing sites by notifying staff and 911 dispatchers if a resident doesn’t indicate that they are okay within one minute of ingesting a drug. The company behind the device, LifeGuard Digital Health, says it saved 29 lives in B.C. between April 2023 and March 24, 2024. (Photo courtesy of LifeGuard Digital Health)
Tommy Picco died at age 36 on Oct. 12, 2020 from a toxic drug overdose. He donated organs to four people after passing, including Lindsay Ma who received his heart. (Photos courtesy of Debbie Picco)

‘His presence remains’: Toxic drug crisis feeds bittersweet spike in organ donors

Thirty-eight per cent of deceased organ donors were victims of the toxic drug crisis in 2023

Tommy Picco died at age 36 on Oct. 12, 2020 from a toxic drug overdose. He donated organs to four people after passing, including Lindsay Ma who received his heart. (Photos courtesy of Debbie Picco)
Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth looks on during a press conference in the press theatre at legislature in Victoria, B.C., on Thursday, October 5, 2023. British Columbia’s solicitor general says there’s no evidence of widespread diversion of safe-supply opioids, after a recent drug seizure was cited by Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre to criticize the provincial program. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

Widespread safe supply drug diversion in B.C. ‘simply not true’: Farnworth

B.C. critical of comments made by Poilievre, Alberta premier in wake of drug seizure

Minister of Public Safety and Solicitor General Mike Farnworth looks on during a press conference in the press theatre at legislature in Victoria, B.C., on Thursday, October 5, 2023. British Columbia’s solicitor general says there’s no evidence of widespread diversion of safe-supply opioids, after a recent drug seizure was cited by Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre to criticize the provincial program. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
A mobile overdose prevention site is located at Ridge Meadows Hospital. (RainCity/Special to The News)

Lower Mainland overdose prevention site sees dramatic increase since opening

January saw 28 people and February 141 at the Ridge Meadows Overdose Prevention Site

A mobile overdose prevention site is located at Ridge Meadows Hospital. (RainCity/Special to The News)
Syringes are seen at a safe injection site Monday, June 26, 2017 in Montreal. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson

B.C. supervised consumption site backlash continues well after rejection

Degree of anger over discarded Richmond proposal surprising many political observers

Syringes are seen at a safe injection site Monday, June 26, 2017 in Montreal. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Paul Chiasson
People hold signs during a memorial march to remember victims of overdose deaths in Vancouver on Saturday, August 15, 2020. BC Coroners Service says at least 198 people died of overdoses in the province in January 2024 from toxic, unregulated drugs.. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Nearly 200 people died of toxic drug overdoses in 1st month of 2024

70% of those who died were between 30 and 59 years old

People hold signs during a memorial march to remember victims of overdose deaths in Vancouver on Saturday, August 15, 2020. BC Coroners Service says at least 198 people died of overdoses in the province in January 2024 from toxic, unregulated drugs.. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Port Alberni’s overdose prevention site serves 200-300 clients daily, said Robyn Hesby, frontline support worker, and Lexi Kossenko, manager. (Alexandra Mehl photo)

Workers on front line of B.C. toxic drug crisis ‘feel every single death’

Building relationships and celebrating success stories makes difficult job worthwhile

  • Feb 27, 2024
Port Alberni’s overdose prevention site serves 200-300 clients daily, said Robyn Hesby, frontline support worker, and Lexi Kossenko, manager. (Alexandra Mehl photo)
Canada’s mental health and addictions minister says concerns about prescribing pharmaceutical alternatives to drug users as a way to combat the overdose crisis are rooted in fear and stigma. Mental Health and Addictions Minister Ya’ara Saks arrives to a cabinet meeting on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

‘Stigma and fear’ drives pushback against Canada’s safer supply effort: minister

Ya’ara Saks says officials need to do more to inform the public as to how programs work

Canada’s mental health and addictions minister says concerns about prescribing pharmaceutical alternatives to drug users as a way to combat the overdose crisis are rooted in fear and stigma. Mental Health and Addictions Minister Ya’ara Saks arrives to a cabinet meeting on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on Tuesday, Feb. 13, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
B.C. Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Jennifer Whiteside steps away from the podium after speaking during a news conference in Vancouver, on Monday, Jan. 30, 2023. Whiteside says ending the province’s three-year drug decriminalization project won’t save “a single life,” as the overdose death toll continues to rise. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

As drug decriminalization turns 1, ending it won’t save lives: B.C. minister

Jennifer Whiteside says program in place to reduce shame, encourage people to seek help

B.C. Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Jennifer Whiteside steps away from the podium after speaking during a news conference in Vancouver, on Monday, Jan. 30, 2023. Whiteside says ending the province’s three-year drug decriminalization project won’t save “a single life,” as the overdose death toll continues to rise. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Christopher Petz in hospital while recovering from an incident in which a driver on Highway 97 ran into him while he was on a bicycle. (Photo submitted)

B.C. mom says online comments piling on more hurt to son’s death

Mother whose son died from toxic drugs, said comments about street people dehumanizing

Christopher Petz in hospital while recovering from an incident in which a driver on Highway 97 ran into him while he was on a bicycle. (Photo submitted)
British Columbia chief coroner Lisa Lapointe speaks during a press conference at B.C. Legislature in Victoria on February 24, 2020. Lapointe says she’s frustrated, disappointed even angry at the response to the ongoing overdose crisis in the province. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

Anger over unresolved toxic drug crisis as B.C. chief coroner exits

Lisa Lapointe leaves office frustrated and disappointed with response to overdose emergency

British Columbia chief coroner Lisa Lapointe speaks during a press conference at B.C. Legislature in Victoria on February 24, 2020. Lapointe says she’s frustrated, disappointed even angry at the response to the ongoing overdose crisis in the province. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
People hold banners during a march to remember those who died during the overdose crisis and to call for a safe supply of illicit drugs on International Overdose Awareness Day, in Vancouver, on Tuesday, August 31, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C.’s Road to Recovery targets those at risk of an overdose

B.C. Premier Eby celebrates ‘first-of-its-kind’ seamless addictions care program in Vancouver

People hold banners during a march to remember those who died during the overdose crisis and to call for a safe supply of illicit drugs on International Overdose Awareness Day, in Vancouver, on Tuesday, August 31, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
A physician and addictions specialist says being equipped to administer naloxone is one way Canadians can play an active part in responding to the opioid epidemic. A Naloxone anti-overdose kit is held in downtown Vancouver, Friday, Feb. 10, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Naloxone: What to know about the overdose-reversing drug, free across Canada

Since 2016, Health Canada has recorded 38,514 opioid-related overdose deaths

A physician and addictions specialist says being equipped to administer naloxone is one way Canadians can play an active part in responding to the opioid epidemic. A Naloxone anti-overdose kit is held in downtown Vancouver, Friday, Feb. 10, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
The BC Coroners Service says more than 2,000 people have died in the first 10 months of 2023 due to the toxic drug supply. People carry a makeshift coffin , representing the toxic drug deaths, along Powell Street in Vancouver on April 14, 2023 during an event marking the seventh anniversary of the toxic drug supply in B.C. (Photo: Lauren Collins)

2,000 British Columbians have died from toxic drugs so far in 2023

October is also the 37th consecutive month with at least 150 deaths

The BC Coroners Service says more than 2,000 people have died in the first 10 months of 2023 due to the toxic drug supply. People carry a makeshift coffin , representing the toxic drug deaths, along Powell Street in Vancouver on April 14, 2023 during an event marking the seventh anniversary of the toxic drug supply in B.C. (Photo: Lauren Collins)
People hold banners during a march to remember those who died during the overdose crisis and to call for a safe supply of illicit drugs on International Overdose Awareness Day, in Vancouver, on Tuesday, August 31, 2021. Advocates for a safe drug supply gathered in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside to denounce the recent arrests of the founders of the Drug User Liberation Front. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Marchers rally in Vancouver to support Drug User Liberation Front

Vancouver Police Department raided the group’s office and arrested its co-founders last week

People hold banners during a march to remember those who died during the overdose crisis and to call for a safe supply of illicit drugs on International Overdose Awareness Day, in Vancouver, on Tuesday, August 31, 2021. Advocates for a safe drug supply gathered in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside to denounce the recent arrests of the founders of the Drug User Liberation Front. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck