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Jun 14, 2023 8:24 PM - The Canadian Press

B.C. becomes first province to provide universal coverage for opioid treatments

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Mental Health and Addictions Minister Jennifer Whiteside says removing cost barriers to medication-assisted treatment will help more people stabilize their lives, prevent deaths and stay on their journey to wellness.

B.C. is expanding the program it uses to help patients kick their dependence on opioids.

A statement from the Health Ministry says B.C. will now provide universal coverage for eligible drugs which include methadone that are rated as opioid agonist treatment medications.

The statement says the expanded program differs from safer supply which provides alternatives to illicit drugs and will help the roughly 1600 B.C. patients who can't get PharmaCare coverage for the drugs needed to manage their opioid-use disorder.

Mental Health and Addictions Minister Jennifer Whiteside says removing cost barriers to medication-assisted treatment will help more people stabilize their lives, prevent deaths and stay on their journey to wellness.

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Surrey–Guildford Conservative candidate withdraws court challenge over narrow election loss

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Penticton RCMP say a man is facing criminal charges following an alleged sexual assault reported in the city on Monday evening. Police were called shortly before 6 p.m. on December 22 to the 200 block of Orchard Avenue after receiving reports of a possible sexual assault in progress. According to investigators, several bystanders intervened and restrained the suspect until officers arrived at the scene. The victim was taken to hospital for medical assessment. Police have not released details about the victim’s condition. RCMP say Josiah Foisy has been charged with sexual assault and assault.

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Burnaby RCMP seek public help after $100,000 Bobcat loader stolen in North Burnaby

Burnaby RCMP are asking for the public’s help to identify two pickup trucks believed to be involved in the theft of a Bobcat loader valued at about $100,000 in North Burnaby. Police say the theft happened on the afternoon of Sunday, November 30, when two pickup trucks arrived near the intersection of Midlawn Drive and Westlawn Drive in the Brentwood area. One of the trucks was towing an empty flat deck trailer. A short time later, both vehicles were seen leaving the area with the Bobcat loader loaded onto the trailer. Investigators describe the first suspect vehicle as a dark-coloured pickup

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Richmond RCMP arrest 16 in targeted retail theft enforcement operation

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Surrey–Guildford Conservative candidate withdraws court challenge over narrow election loss

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The B.C. Conservative candidate who narrowly lost the Surrey–Guildford riding in last year’s provincial election has withdrawn his legal challenge of the results, ending a court case that centred on alleged voting irregularities. Honveer Singh Randhawa, who was defeated by 22 votes, said Tuesday he has decided to drop his petition before the B.C. Supreme Court. In a written statement, Randhawa said his legal action had already led to what he described as a material outcome after the province’s chief electoral officer acknowledged that some violations had occurred. In his original filing,

Man charged after alleged sexual assault in Penticton, police say

Man charged after alleged sexual assault in Penticton, police say

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Burnaby RCMP seek public help after $100,000 Bobcat loader stolen in North Burnaby

Burnaby RCMP seek public help after $100,000 Bobcat loader stolen in North Burnaby

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