Announcement comes on 5-year anniversary of B.C.’s first public health emergency
The year of the pandemic saw record-high overdose deaths
There have been several overdoses per day recently in the city
The drugs contain benzodiazepines which are not affected by naloxone
Pandemic exacerbated ongoing dire state of opioid crisis in B.C.
Iliajah Pidskalny rides to raise awareness, funds for Canadian drug policy change
Some addiction doctors have criticized the lack of safer drugs for those experiencing entrenched addiction
Kennedy Stewart says he’s encouraged by the federal health minister’s commitment to work with the city
It pins the blame largely on a lack of supports, a corrupted drug supply
B.C. is dealing with two public health crises
The initiative comes at a time when overdose deaths are spiking
Top doctors have called for increased access to a safe supply of illicit drugs to prevent deaths
B.C. hits grim milestone of more than 900 deaths in first seven months of 2020
There have been more than 15,000 apparent opioid-related deaths in Canada since 2016
Minister Judy Darcy has said the proposed changes could help ensure the immediate safety of young people
Deaths increased by 93% between January and May
131 overdoses recorded by BC Emergency Health Services on June 26
