Substance use disorders and the Mental Health Act
General guidance for physicians on the use of the Mental Health Actwhen treating adults with substance use disorder. Click here to download.
“This is trauma”: new B.C. involuntary care guidelines get cold reception
New guidelines around involuntary care are receiving criticism from those who advocate for drug users and their families, by Wolf Depner from Black Press. Read the source article here – New provincial guidelines around the use of involuntary care are getting a thumbs-down from groups advocating for drug users and […]
Perceived impacts of North Americas first de-medicalized safer supply program
reposted from Bio Med Central, Substance Abuse Policy – read the source article here – Background The Drug User Liberation Front led an evaluation of a non-medicalized model of safer supply known as a “Compassion Club.” This club sourced, rigorously tested, packaged, and accurately labeled certain illicit substances and then […]
Island Health sees a fourfold increase in deaths of unhoused people in three years
The Island total is one-quarter of the 458 such deaths reported across B.C. last year At least 114 people experiencing homelessness died in 2023 in the Island Health region, more than four times as many as in 2020, according to data from the B.C. Coroners Service. That year, 26 such […]
The OCAT is pleased to announce the recipients of the 4 x $1000, 2024 grants for community work.
Knox United Church For their community work including outreach efforts to service and support challenged folks in our community. By helping ‘at risk’ folks coming through their doors on a regular basis in the way of food cards and also as subsidies for counselling that they provide. Thank you all […]
BC government caves to safe-supply disinformation campaign
Moms Stop the Harm co-founder Petra Schulz responds to the news that BC’s miniscule safe supply pilot programs will end take-home prescriptions, throwing the lives of thousands into disarray and imminent danger. Guest Article From Drug Data Decoded – read the source article – The BC government’s announcement to end […]
Imposing life sentences on fentanyl offences will only lead to more poverty, addiction and devastation
Canadians deserve a meaningful response to the fentanyl crisis, not ill-conceived and draconian ideas – much less costly mandatory-minimum penalties. by Kim Pate for The Globe and Mail. Read the source article here Characterizing mandatory life sentences as a solution to the toxic-drug crisis, as suggested by Conservative Leader Pierre […]
Island Health Youth Harm Reduction 101
The Youth Harm Reduction team is pleased to announce the launch of Youth Harm Reduction 101. The course is now available for our external partners on the Interior Health website (and also as an iLearn for IH staff 4339). This course covers essential information on integrating harm reduction principles, approaches and services […]
Pierre Poilievre’s Pipe Dream: Imprison Drug Users for Life
Just about every sale of fentanyl would apply, clogging our justice system. Time for a logic check. BY Mo Amir from The Tyee and This Is Vancolour – Read the source article here In December 2022, Conservative Party of Canada Leader Pierre Poilievre wrote in a National Post op-ed, “People […]