Deaths from illicit drug use has been identified as a public health emergency since 2016
A new study surveyed 738 people who use drugs and found 272 people reported worsening drug quality
Canadian cities, provinces say decriminalization would help reduce stigma associated with drug use
The programs are small and have very limited capacity to prescribe a safe supply of drugs
Most fatal overdoses are linked to opioids and took place in Calgary and Edmonton
Drug overdose deaths in Alberta hit record highs during the COVID-19 pandemic
To date, British Columbia, Toronto and Vancouver have asked Ottawa for section 56 exemption request
B.C. recorded 2,224 fatalities due to illicit drug overdoses in 2021
Police and bylaw also overwhelmed with mental health and addictions issues
‘Usually, you just go to sleep… wake up later and you’re fine. But this night I wasn’t.’
The national line is one of many solutions to try to curb drug overdoses
Researchers says existing sites having positive influence on drug users’ behaviour
Opioid fatalities now represent over 20 per cent of all deaths investigated by Yukon’s coroner
Illicit drug overdose deaths are a serious problem throughout British Columbia
Information from the BC Coroners Service paints a grim picture in Penticton
The local health area has seen 15 fatal overdoses so far
The 5 recent overdose deaths occurred in May and June