weather c
Vancouver
airing now
91.5FM
|
91.5HD2
airing now
weather8.85 c
Edmonton
airing now
|
91.5 FM
91.5 HD2

Report released examining four years of overdose deaths in British Columbia

BY The Canadian Press, Mar 9, 2022 8:25 PM - REPORT AN ERROR

A report examining thousands of deaths linked to illicit drugs in BC says the province must act over the next 90 days to develop a policy that delivers a safer supply of drugs. (Photo - BC Govt.)

A report examining thousands of deaths linked to illicit drugs in BC says the province must act over the next 90 days to develop a policy that delivers a safer supply of drugs.

The death review panel report released by chief coroner Lisa Lapointe calls on the government, the BC Centre for Disease Control and the BC Centre on Substance Use to find a way toward a safer supply, with measurable action taken over the next 30, 60 and 90 days.

The report looked at 6,000 deaths between August 2017 and July 2021 and found increasingly toxic drugs, coupled with a policy of prohibition, forces reliance on street drugs.

BC declared a public health emergency six years ago and nearly nine-thousand people have died since then, with the report saying the tainted supply is BC's leading cause of unnatural death, accounting for more fatalities than homicides, suicides, motor vehicle incidents, drownings and fire-related deaths combined.

Latest News

Share on

Sign up for the newsletter

We'll deliver best of entertainment right into your inbox
We love to hear from our listeners, so feel free to send us message
whatsUp icon
Message us on whatsapp