B.C. expands program aimed at preventing overdose deaths in construction industry

British Columbia is providing a one-million-dollar grant to expand access to resources aimed at preventing overdose deaths in the construction industry.

The province says the program, dubbed the Tailgate Toolkit, was developed on Vancouver Island last year in partnership with people in the industry who have experience with illicit drug use.

Sheila Malcolmson, the minister of mental health and addictions, says it's now set to be expanded across the province.

She says it aims to reduce the stigma that can deter people from asking for help and that drives them to hide their substance use and consume drugs alone.