17.23°C Vancouver

Apr 12, 2022 9:04 PM - The Canadian Press

B.C. coroner wants 'urgent action' on safer drug supply six years into OD crisis

Share On
b-c-coroner-wants-urgent-action-on-safer-drug-supply-six-years-into-od-crisis
British Columbia's coroner says over 9,400 people in the province have died of an overdose from toxic illicit drugs since the government declared a public health emergency six years ago. (File photo - BC Govt.)

British Columbia's coroner says over 9,400 people in the province have died of an overdose from toxic illicit drugs since the government declared a public health emergency six years ago.

Lisa Lapointe says urgent action is needed to decriminalize small amounts of drugs for personal use and to provide more people with a safer supply of substances that would replace the profit-driven illicit market.

Lapointe says she understands that the concept of a safer drug supply is difficult for some people to understand, given decades of a punitive, enforcement-based approach to substance use, but more people will die without a regulated source of drugs in every part of the province.

She says an average of six people die every day in B.C., with most of the fatalities occurring in Vancouver, Surrey and Victoria.

Lapointe released a report in March calling on the province to develop a policy to distribute a safer supply of drugs with a plan that would see action taken over 30, 60 and 90 says.

Mental Health and Addictions Minister Sheila Malcolmson says she could not immediately provide details on how many people are accessing a safer supply of drugs, but it's been particularly challenging to recruit and retain nurse practitioners and doctors to prescribe substitute medications in the region covered by the Northern Health authority.

The coroner also said preliminary data shows at least 174 people died in February from overdoses.

"The deaths of another 174 B.C. residents, so many of them young and middle-aged men with years of life ahead of them, is yet another reminder that urgent action is needed on a provincewide scale," Lapointe said in a statement.

Latest news

canadas-dabrowski-and-partner-routliffe-win-u-s-open-womens-doubles-title
EnglishSep 05, 2025

Canada's Dabrowski and partner Routliffe win U.S. Open women's doubles title

Canadian tennis player Gabriela Dabrowski has won the US Open Grand Slam title with her New Zealand partner Erin Rutliff. The Canadian player won the women's doubles title in straight sets with her partner. Together, the two defeated the pair of Taylor Townsend and Katerina Siniakova 6-4, 6-4. Earlier, Gabriela Dabrowski also won the US Open title in 2023. Pawan Sahni, of Newton Tennis Club in Surrey, says “the win is a boost for Canadian tennis.” He added, on one hand, just a few weeks ago, young player Victoria Mboko won the Canadian Open title, and now, with Canada's senior player win
BCSep 05, 2025

Coquihalla Highway reopened following wildfire closure

The Coquihalla Highway (Highway 5) between Hope and Merritt has reopened in both directions following a closure caused by the Mine Creek wildfire. Due to the proximity of the fire, drivers should be prepared for the Coquihalla Highway to be closed with minimal notice. Drivers are advised to not stop in the fire zone. Intermittent lane closures can be expected as crews continue to assess and repair roadside damage, and visibility is reduced due to wildfire smoke. Drivers should also be prepared for an increased risk of wildlife presence due to fire damage to wildlife-exclusion fencing on this s
police-investigate-early-morning-shots-fired-in-south-surrey
CanadaSep 05, 2025

Police Investigate Early Morning Shots Fired in South Surrey

Surrey Police Service (SPS) is investigating an early morning shooting that occurred in South Surrey. On September 5, 2025, at approximately 3:50 am, SPS responded to reports of shots fired in the 14300 block of 28 Avenue, Surrey. Upon arrival, members located numerous shell casings on 28 Avenue. It does not appear that any residences were damaged and nobody was injured. SPS Frontline Investigation Support (FLIS) Team are attending and have taken conduct of the investigation. Investigators believe this incident is related to an ongoing extortion investigation.
ministers-statement-on-the-cowichan-valley-transit-labour-dispute
BCSep 05, 2025

Special mediator appointed to resolve Cowichan Valley transit labour dispute

Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Labour, has issued the following statement on the Cowichan Valley transit labour dispute: “This strike has been deeply disruptive to people living in the Cowichan Valley, who rely on transit to get to work, go to school, attend medical appointments and access everyday services. “This dispute has gone on for far too long. There’s a real urgency for the parties to get back to the table, find a fair resolution and get transit services back on the road. “To help the parties resolve the ongoing labour dispute, I have appointed Vince Ready as a special mediato
elon-musks-neuralink-brain-chip-implanted-into-two-quadriplegic-canadian-patients
CanadaSep 05, 2025

Elon Musk's Neuralink brain chip implanted into two quadriplegic Canadian patients

Two Canadian patients with spinal cord injuries have received Neuralink brain implants that have allowed them to control a computer with their thoughts. They are part of the first clinical trial outside of the United States to test the safety and effectiveness of Elon Musk's Neuralink wireless brain chip, which he introduced to the public in 2020, and was first implanted in a paralyzed American in 2024. The Canadian men, both around 30 years old – one from Ontario, the other from Alberta – have limited or no ability to use their hands. Dr. Andres Lozano, a neurosurgeon at University Health

Related News