Drugs

A pouch containing crystalized methamphetamine and a homemade pipe are shown March 21, 2006. In December 2022, a dog was seized from its owner in Vancouver because of regular exposure to drugs, including crystal meth. (AP Photo/Matt York, File)

Dog left ‘woozy, coughing and vomiting’ from regular exposure to drugs at B.C. property

B.C. SPCA seized dog in December after 3 prior calls

 

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre steps away from the microphone after an announcement and news conference, in New Westminster, B.C., on Tuesday, March 14, 2023. Poilievre says that if he became prime minister, he would sue pharmaceutical companies as a way to fund drug treatment ⁠— but he won’t say what he would do about supervised consumption sites. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Poilievre says he would sue Big Pharma, won’t comment on supervised consumption sites

Tory leader made the pledge during a stop in Metro Vancouver

 

(Shane MacKichan photo) (Shane MacKichan photo)

Big time B.C. drug trafficker sentenced in Kelowna to 7 more years

Abd’l Malik Loubissi-Morris was previously involved in a drive-by shooting

 

A Vancouver-based law firm says it has filed a proposed securities class action lawsuit on behalf of anyone who acquired shares in a B.C. company that recently announced plans to commercialize cocaine. Cocaine from a safe supply being handed out to drug users, is displayed in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, on Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Class-action lawsuit proposed for shareholders affected by Adastra cocaine claim

B.C. firm released then revised a statement it was evaluating commercial cocaine production

A Vancouver-based law firm says it has filed a proposed securities class action lawsuit on behalf of anyone who acquired shares in a B.C. company that recently announced plans to commercialize cocaine. Cocaine from a safe supply being handed out to drug users, is displayed in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, on Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Statistics about the local health region Sicamous is in were shared by harm reduction coordinator Myanne Peacock and other representatives from Interior Health in a presentation to Sicamous council at the March 8 committee of the whole meeting. (Interior Health image)

Interior Health calls for pause on Sicamous bylaw prohibiting public use of illicit drugs

Doctor, harm reduction specialists urge 6-month evaluation of decriminalization

Statistics about the local health region Sicamous is in were shared by harm reduction coordinator Myanne Peacock and other representatives from Interior Health in a presentation to Sicamous council at the March 8 committee of the whole meeting. (Interior Health image)
A man pauses at an empty coffin after carrying it to Oppenheimer Park during a memorial march to remember victims of overdose deaths in Vancouver on Saturday, August 15, 2020. In January 2023, at least 211 British Columbians died from toxic drugs, according to the BC Coroners Service. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Nearly 7 British Columbians died a day from toxic drugs in January

Death rate now more than double what it was when emergency was declared in 2016

A man pauses at an empty coffin after carrying it to Oppenheimer Park during a memorial march to remember victims of overdose deaths in Vancouver on Saturday, August 15, 2020. In January 2023, at least 211 British Columbians died from toxic drugs, according to the BC Coroners Service. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks at a Liberal party fundraising event at the Hotel Fort Garry in Winnipeg, Thursday, March 2, 2023. Trudeau says he is “as surprised as” B.C. Premier David Eby is after a firm received Health Canada licence amendments to produce and sell cocaine. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods

UPDATE: B.C. firm walks back talk to commercialize cocaine after drawing Trudeau’s ire

Commercializing decriminalized cocaine ‘not something that this government is looking at’

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau speaks at a Liberal party fundraising event at the Hotel Fort Garry in Winnipeg, Thursday, March 2, 2023. Trudeau says he is “as surprised as” B.C. Premier David Eby is after a firm received Health Canada licence amendments to produce and sell cocaine. THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods
Vancouver woman Jessica Kane is charged with manslaughter and adminstering overpowering drugs, among other things, in her work at an escort service. (Metro Creative stock)

More charges laid against Vancouver sex worker accused of fatally drugging client

Jessica Kane, 30, is facing charges across the Lower Mainland

Vancouver woman Jessica Kane is charged with manslaughter and adminstering overpowering drugs, among other things, in her work at an escort service. (Metro Creative stock)
Green Party of Canada Leader Elizabeth May looks on as Valorie Masuda, a palliative care doctor speaks about access to medical psilocybin for Canadians with treatment-resistant illnesses on Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023, in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Advocates, MPs call on feds to expand access to psychedelic treatment

Green Party Leader Elizabeth May says she wants Canada to consider expanding…

Green Party of Canada Leader Elizabeth May looks on as Valorie Masuda, a palliative care doctor speaks about access to medical psilocybin for Canadians with treatment-resistant illnesses on Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2023, in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
(Phil McLachlan/Capital News/Stock)

23 arrested after investigation into ‘largescale’ northern B.C. drug operation

RCMP call arrests a ‘significant disruption of an entrenched organized crime group’

(Phil McLachlan/Capital News/Stock)
Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Jennifer Whiteside promises more action on dealing with toxic drug deaths while also blaming past governments and COVID-19 for undoing previous progress. Photo by Myriam Zilles on Unsplash

Toxic drug death figures ‘distressing’ minister says as critics accuse NDP of failure

Jennifer Whiteside promises more action, but also blames B.C. Liberals and COVID

Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Jennifer Whiteside promises more action on dealing with toxic drug deaths while also blaming past governments and COVID-19 for undoing previous progress. Photo by Myriam Zilles on Unsplash
A person in Nelson holds a bag with 2.5 grams of methamphetamine. Possession of that amount of certain types of drugs, including meth, was decriminalized in B.C. as of Jan. 31. (Tyler Harper/Black Press)

‘People are still going to die’: Kelowna advocate speaks out on drug decriminalization

Decriminalization will free up the court systems to deal with ‘bigger fish’, said Angie Lohr

A person in Nelson holds a bag with 2.5 grams of methamphetamine. Possession of that amount of certain types of drugs, including meth, was decriminalized in B.C. as of Jan. 31. (Tyler Harper/Black Press)
A woman who passed out in a stranger’s house with a gun and drugs was arrested on Jan. 8. (Brendan Shykora - Black Press File)

Stranger passes out in B.C. home with drugs and a gun

Multiple charges including drug trafficking are being recommended by RCMP

A woman who passed out in a stranger’s house with a gun and drugs was arrested on Jan. 8. (Brendan Shykora - Black Press File)
A pouch containing crystallized methamphetamine and a homemade pipe are shown March 21, 2006, in Window Rock, Ariz. Decriminalization of some hard drugs began in B.C. on Tuesday after the federal government granted B.C.’s request for an exemption from the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act as part of a plan to combat an overdose crisis that has claimed over 11,000 lives since 2016.THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Matt York

Drug users say B.C. ‘fight continues’ during decriminalization amid safe supply calls

Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users handing out ‘know your rights’ cards in wake of new policy

A pouch containing crystallized methamphetamine and a homemade pipe are shown March 21, 2006, in Window Rock, Ariz. Decriminalization of some hard drugs began in B.C. on Tuesday after the federal government granted B.C.’s request for an exemption from the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act as part of a plan to combat an overdose crisis that has claimed over 11,000 lives since 2016.THE CANADIAN PRESS/AP-Matt York
A vase of flowers on top of a coffin at an event marking International Overdose Awareness Day in Nelson in 2021. Eleven people died of toxic drug poisoning in the Nelson area in 2022, the most since the health crisis was declared in 2016. Photo: Tyler Harper

Record drug deaths, paramedic calls in West Kootenay last year

Eleven people died due to toxic drugs in Nelson in 2022

A vase of flowers on top of a coffin at an event marking International Overdose Awareness Day in Nelson in 2021. Eleven people died of toxic drug poisoning in the Nelson area in 2022, the most since the health crisis was declared in 2016. Photo: Tyler Harper
B.C. Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, from left to right, Carolyn Bennett, federal minister of Mental Health and Addictions, and B.C. Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Jennifer Whiteside stand together during a news conference in Vancouver, on Monday, January 30, 2023. Decriminalization of people with small amounts of illegal drugs for their own use has become a reality in British Columbia, but substance users and researchers say the move is expected to make little immediate difference because of a toxic drug supply that is killing people. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

‘Dangerous’ to think B.C.’s decriminalization plan will reduce OD deaths: researcher

Users will not be arrested or have their drugs seized by police starting Tuesday

B.C. Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry, from left to right, Carolyn Bennett, federal minister of Mental Health and Addictions, and B.C. Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Jennifer Whiteside stand together during a news conference in Vancouver, on Monday, January 30, 2023. Decriminalization of people with small amounts of illegal drugs for their own use has become a reality in British Columbia, but substance users and researchers say the move is expected to make little immediate difference because of a toxic drug supply that is killing people. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
A person in Nelson holds a bag with 2.5 grams of methamphetamine. Possession of that amount of certain types of drugs, including meth, will be decriminalized in B.C. as of Jan. 31. Photo: Tyler Harper

B.C. drug advocates cautiously optimistic about decriminalization

But there remains concerns about how possession will be enforced

A person in Nelson holds a bag with 2.5 grams of methamphetamine. Possession of that amount of certain types of drugs, including meth, will be decriminalized in B.C. as of Jan. 31. Photo: Tyler Harper
The Bass Coast and Shambhala electronic music festivals each host drug-checking services. An Interior Health report shows a rise in festival goers having their drugs checked, especially if they bought drugs at the festival. Photo: Bass Coast

B.C. music festival visitors more likely to use drug-checking services: Interior Health

A report found high uptake of drug testing at the Bass Coast and Shambhala music festivals

The Bass Coast and Shambhala electronic music festivals each host drug-checking services. An Interior Health report shows a rise in festival goers having their drugs checked, especially if they bought drugs at the festival. Photo: Bass Coast
A drug “super lab” was busted in Abbotsford in January 2022. Three men have now been charged. (BC RCMP photo)

Drug ‘super lab’ in Abbotsford could have produced 27M lethal doses of fentanyl, say police

Three men charged after investigation in Abbotsford and Surrey that began in August 2021

A drug “super lab” was busted in Abbotsford in January 2022. Three men have now been charged. (BC RCMP photo)
Back on Track recovery house operator Cole Izsak (left) and South Surrey parent Maggie Plett (holding a photo of her son, Zachary) walk north along White Rock’s Johnston Road with dozens of others in a 2019 effort to raise awareness around the overdose crisis. (Tracy Holmes file photo)

Decriminalizing small amounts of illicit drugs ‘may save pain, lives,’ says expert

Concerns expressed as B.C. approaches Jan. 31 launch of three-year pilot

Back on Track recovery house operator Cole Izsak (left) and South Surrey parent Maggie Plett (holding a photo of her son, Zachary) walk north along White Rock’s Johnston Road with dozens of others in a 2019 effort to raise awareness around the overdose crisis. (Tracy Holmes file photo)