Drugs

Paramedic Specialists Brian Twaites and David Hilder of B.C. Ambulance debrief after responding to a drug overdose in downtown Vancouver, Wednesday, June 23, 2021. Twaites says he has watched as the province’s illicit drugs have become more toxic, requiring more effort and more overdose-reversal medication to save people’s lives. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Former B.C. paramedic gives advice on the 7th anniversary of the toxic drug crisis

Last year, the toxic drug supply claimed nearly 2,300 lives in the province

Paramedic Specialists Brian Twaites and David Hilder of B.C. Ambulance debrief after responding to a drug overdose in downtown Vancouver, Wednesday, June 23, 2021. Twaites says he has watched as the province’s illicit drugs have become more toxic, requiring more effort and more overdose-reversal medication to save people’s lives. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
Cocaine cut with fentanyl has been connected to multiple overdose incidents including multiple fatalities in the Interior Health region. (IH)

Multiple fatal overdoses connected to contaminated cocaine in Interior Health region

A drug alert warning of high risk of fatal overdose was issued on April 13

Cocaine cut with fentanyl has been connected to multiple overdose incidents including multiple fatalities in the Interior Health region. (IH)
Minister of Health Jean-Yves Duclos waits to appear before the Standing Committee on Health, Thursday, March 23, 2023 in Ottawa. Canada’s federal health minister says he’s working with provinces to prevent the mass exportation of essential medications after thousands of doses of the diabetes and weight-loss drug Ozempic were shipped to the United States. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Canada’s health minister calls mass exports of Ozempic to U.S. an ‘outrageous’ abuse

Duclos: ways to prevent medications being exported in mass quantities in future will be explored

Minister of Health Jean-Yves Duclos waits to appear before the Standing Committee on Health, Thursday, March 23, 2023 in Ottawa. Canada’s federal health minister says he’s working with provinces to prevent the mass exportation of essential medications after thousands of doses of the diabetes and weight-loss drug Ozempic were shipped to the United States. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Prescription drugs are seen on shelves at a pharmacy in Montreal, Thursday, March 11, 2021. Canada’s pharmacists worry a lack of data about prescription management could see a repeat of the situation with diabetes and weight-loss drug Ozempic, in which thousands of doses have been mailed over the border to Americans. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

Pharmacists fear more drugs may fall into loophole that saw B.C. Ozempic sent to U.S.

Lack of available data on cross-border sales concerns Canadian Pharmacists Association

Prescription drugs are seen on shelves at a pharmacy in Montreal, Thursday, March 11, 2021. Canada’s pharmacists worry a lack of data about prescription management could see a repeat of the situation with diabetes and weight-loss drug Ozempic, in which thousands of doses have been mailed over the border to Americans. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Online drug trafficking on the rise, B.C. crime researcher says resources needed

SFU professor says the problem is a case of ‘whack-a-mole’ for police

THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick
The Canadian Pharmacists Association says protecting Canadian drug supplies from mass exportation to the U.S. market remains a priority in light of B.C.’s recent move to limit sales of the diabetes drug Ozempic, which has been hyped as a weight-loss treatment. Prescription drugs are seen on shelves at a pharmacy in Montreal on March 11, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz

Rush for diabetes and weight-loss drug Ozempic puts cross-border sales in spotlight

Large-scale American demand for cheaper Canadian drugs threaten country’s supplies

The Canadian Pharmacists Association says protecting Canadian drug supplies from mass exportation to the U.S. market remains a priority in light of B.C.’s recent move to limit sales of the diabetes drug Ozempic, which has been hyped as a weight-loss treatment. Prescription drugs are seen on shelves at a pharmacy in Montreal on March 11, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ryan Remiorz
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

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)
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

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
(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

(Shane MacKichan photo) (Shane MacKichan photo)
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