overdose crisis

Protesters march out of Oppenheimer Park along Powell Street in Vancouver on April 14, 2023 during an event marking the seventh anniversary of the toxic drug deaths in B.C. (Photo: Lauren Collins)

Toxic drug deaths response, care now top priority for First Nations Health Authority

When looking at abstinence as only option, it creates stigma, fear and shame: FNHA

 

The First Nations Health Authority have released the 2022 data on toxic drug deaths for Indigenous people in B.C. Dr. Nel Wieman with the First Nations Health Authority speaks about the illicit drug toxicity deaths in the province and about the effect on First Nation’s communities during a press conference at B.C. Legislature in Victoria, B.C., on Monday, February 24, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

First Nations ‘particularly and disproportionately’ overrepresented among B.C. toxic drug deaths

First Nations Health Authority releases 2022 data; detail plans for public health response

 

Contaminated drugs in the South Okanagan have been described as having a high risk of an overdose and a high risk of a fatal overdose by Interior Health. (Interior Health)

Interior Health issues 4th fatal overdose drug warning in 4 weeks in Penticton

Drug being sold as down carries high risk of overdose or nodding out for a long time

 

FILE – Williams Lake resident were encouraged to paint on a purple rock in memory of a loved one lost to the toxic drug crisis. (Monica Lamb-Yorski photo - Williams Lake Tribune)

6 people died per day from unregulated drug supply so far this year: BC Coroners Service

‘Unregulated drug toxicity continues to be the leading cause of unnatural death in British Columbia’

FILE – Williams Lake resident were encouraged to paint on a purple rock in memory of a loved one lost to the toxic drug crisis. (Monica Lamb-Yorski photo - Williams Lake Tribune)
Safe supply advocates hold a rally outside the B.C. Ministry of Health in downtown Victoria April 14. The day marks seven years since the province declared the overdose public health emergency. (Austin Westphal/News Staff) Safe supply advocates hold a rally outside the B.C. Ministry of Health in downtown Victoria April 14. The day marks seven years since the province declared the overdose public health emergency. (Austin Westphal/News Staff)

B.C. safe supply advocates rally to mark 7 years of toxic drug crisis

More than 11,300 British Columbians have died from toxic drug deaths since 2016

Safe supply advocates hold a rally outside the B.C. Ministry of Health in downtown Victoria April 14. The day marks seven years since the province declared the overdose public health emergency. (Austin Westphal/News Staff) Safe supply advocates hold a rally outside the B.C. Ministry of Health in downtown Victoria April 14. The day marks seven years since the province declared the overdose public health emergency. (Austin Westphal/News Staff)
Paramedic Specialists Brian Twaites and David Hilder of B.C. Ambulance debrief after responding to a drug overdose in downtown Vancouver, Wednesday, June 23, 2021. Twaites says he has watched as the province’s illicit drugs have become more toxic, requiring more effort and more overdose-reversal medication to save people’s lives. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Former B.C. paramedic gives advice on the 7th anniversary of the toxic drug crisis

Last year, the toxic drug supply claimed nearly 2,300 lives in the province

Paramedic Specialists Brian Twaites and David Hilder of B.C. Ambulance debrief after responding to a drug overdose in downtown Vancouver, Wednesday, June 23, 2021. Twaites says he has watched as the province’s illicit drugs have become more toxic, requiring more effort and more overdose-reversal medication to save people’s lives. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
A naloxone anti-overdose kit is held in downtown Vancouver, B.C., Friday, Feb. 10, 2017. British Columbia Emergency Health Services has released grim statistics on the toxic drug crisis ahead of the seventh anniversary of the province declaring a public health emergency. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

‘The perfect storm’: more poisoning calls than ever as overdose crisis turns 7

B.C. marks 7th anniversary of overdose emergency with grim record statistics

A naloxone anti-overdose kit is held in downtown Vancouver, B.C., Friday, Feb. 10, 2017. British Columbia Emergency Health Services has released grim statistics on the toxic drug crisis ahead of the seventh anniversary of the province declaring a public health emergency. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
A take-home test kit for drug users is seen here. Interior Health has sent out two warnings about a potent and potentially deadly mix of drugs circulating around its communities. (Photo: Vancouver Coastal Health)

Event to acknowledge ongoing toxic drug supply crisis held at Penticton Okanagan College

The April 14 event will follow with a screening of the film, Displaced: Living in the Shadows

A take-home test kit for drug users is seen here. Interior Health has sent out two warnings about a potent and potentially deadly mix of drugs circulating around its communities. (Photo: Vancouver Coastal Health)
Island Health demonstrated the technology at the Comox Valley Nursing Centre in Courtenay March 15 as part of a trial in a group of washrooms identified high-risk spaces for drug poisonings. Photo by Erin Haluschak

Washroom sensor trial underway on Vancouver Island to reduce drug poisonings

Sensors in multiple test facilities monitor movement and how long a person has occupied the washroom

Island Health demonstrated the technology at the Comox Valley Nursing Centre in Courtenay March 15 as part of a trial in a group of washrooms identified high-risk spaces for drug poisonings. Photo by Erin Haluschak
People gather at Centennial Square marking the sixth anniversary of B.C. declaring overdose deaths a public health emergency in Victoria, Thursday, April 14, 2022. A First Nation on the northwest coast of Vancouver Island has declared a state of emergency over what its leadership describes as the “unrelating impact of drugs and alcohol” on its members, particularly children and youth.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

B.C. First Nation declares emergency over drug and alcohol crisis

Ehattesaht First Nation on Vancouver Island says six young people have died

People gather at Centennial Square marking the sixth anniversary of B.C. declaring overdose deaths a public health emergency in Victoria, Thursday, April 14, 2022. A First Nation on the northwest coast of Vancouver Island has declared a state of emergency over what its leadership describes as the “unrelating impact of drugs and alcohol” on its members, particularly children and youth.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
Dr. Nel Wieman with the First Nations Health Authority speaks about the illicit drug toxicity deaths in the province and about the effect on First Nation’s communities during a press conference at B.C. Legislature in Victoria, B.C., on Monday, February 24, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

First Nations women overrepresented among B.C. toxic drug deaths: doctor

Illicit drugs are killing First Nations people at 5 times the rate of B.C.’s general population

Dr. Nel Wieman with the First Nations Health Authority speaks about the illicit drug toxicity deaths in the province and about the effect on First Nation’s communities during a press conference at B.C. Legislature in Victoria, B.C., on Monday, February 24, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
Moms Stop the Harm advocates and supporters march from Centennial Square to the Ministry of Health building in Victoria on April 14, 2022, the sixth anniversary of B.C. declaring the opioid crisis a public health emergency. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

Chief coroner prescribes ‘urgency’ as B.C. records 2,272 toxic drug deaths in 2022

Experts call for holistic action, call response so far a failure

Moms Stop the Harm advocates and supporters march from Centennial Square to the Ministry of Health building in Victoria on April 14, 2022, the sixth anniversary of B.C. declaring the opioid crisis a public health emergency. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
First responders working on an overdose victim in Penticton in September, 2022. (Brennan Phillips - Western News)

First responders answered over 660 overdose calls in Penticton in 2022

The city continues to have more calls per capita than other neighbouring communities

First responders working on an overdose victim in Penticton in September, 2022. (Brennan Phillips - Western News)
The site of Penticton’s Memorial Bench. Gord Portman, who helped raise $10,000 for the bench, pictured with Ysabel Contreras from the City of Penticton at the site of bench, pre-construction. (Logan Lockhart/Western News)

Penticton’s Memorial Bench for overdose victims to be unveiled this summer

Gord Portman helped raise $10,000 in 2022 for the bench’s construction to become a reality

The site of Penticton’s Memorial Bench. Gord Portman, who helped raise $10,000 for the bench, pictured with Ysabel Contreras from the City of Penticton at the site of bench, pre-construction. (Logan Lockhart/Western News)
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, right, meets with B.C. Premier David Eby before an announcement at the Richmond Jewish Day School, in Richmond, B.C., on Friday, December 2, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Trudeau, Eby talk housing , child care, overdose crisis and more during first meeting

Safe consumption forefront of countering the overdose crisis, prime minister says

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, right, meets with B.C. Premier David Eby before an announcement at the Richmond Jewish Day School, in Richmond, B.C., on Friday, December 2, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Integrated Crisis Response Teams are expected to be implemented in 2023. (Black Press file photo)

Interior Health, Kelowna RCMP teaming up more nurses with officers

More nurses and service hours have been expanded

Integrated Crisis Response Teams are expected to be implemented in 2023. (Black Press file photo)
Jordan Williams laid in a hospital bed on life support for many days before his family made the difficult decision to remove the tubes keeping him alive after using drugs reportedly containing fentanyl. (Photo courtesy of Stormy Narcisse)

Family shares grief after son dies from toxic drug poisoning on small town B.C. streets

‘Something needs to be done’ -mother of man, who died this month after using toxic drugs

Jordan Williams laid in a hospital bed on life support for many days before his family made the difficult decision to remove the tubes keeping him alive after using drugs reportedly containing fentanyl. (Photo courtesy of Stormy Narcisse)
There is a high risk of overdose or fatal overdose. (Interior Health)

Look out for white, light pink powder: Drug alert in Kelowna and Vernon

DOWN contains high levels of fentanyl and depressant drugs

There is a high risk of overdose or fatal overdose. (Interior Health)
Mental Health and Addictions Minister Sheila Malcolmson was among the nearly three dozen participants at Saturday’s (Nov. 26) Walk With Me event in Courtenay. Photo by Terry Farrell

B.C.’s mental health minister hopes more people listen to stories of toxic drug crisis

Sheila Malcolmson says listening could change the way people view those impacted

Mental Health and Addictions Minister Sheila Malcolmson was among the nearly three dozen participants at Saturday’s (Nov. 26) Walk With Me event in Courtenay. Photo by Terry Farrell
Victoria Police Chief Del Manak snaps a selfie with three Victoria High students who were presented with a civic service award on Friday for their actions in helping someone who was overdosing in a school washroom. (Kendra Crighton/News Staff)

Saving lives from B.C.’s overdose crisis, one bathroom at a time

Safer Bathroom Toolkit aims to help organizations make lifesaving changes to their washrooms

Victoria Police Chief Del Manak snaps a selfie with three Victoria High students who were presented with a civic service award on Friday for their actions in helping someone who was overdosing in a school washroom. (Kendra Crighton/News Staff)