Public Safety Ministry says drugs containing benzodiazepines were detected in 51% of deaths in February
Wednesday’s calls included 48 in the Vancouver Coastal Health region and 51 in Fraser Health
There have been recent reports of overdose associated with the use of this substance
Announcement comes on 5-year anniversary of B.C.’s first public health emergency
The year of the pandemic saw record-high overdose deaths
Vancouver Fire Capt. Gormick has been appointed to oversee the combined overdose response team
There have been several overdoses per day recently in the city
The pandemic has led to increased isolation and a more toxic drug supply
Phone app gives people who use drugs a ‘chance of survival,’ said BCEHS director Neil Lilley
The drugs contain benzodiazepines which are not affected by naloxone
The machines are located in four cities across Canada, including Vancouver and Victoria
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
B.C. is dealing with two public health crises
COVID-19 crisis continues to exacerbate the overdose crisis
B.C. hits grim milestone of more than 900 deaths in first seven months of 2020
Tyler Whaley’s family weren’t notified after he died of an overdose in July
Minister Judy Darcy has said the proposed changes could help ensure the immediate safety of young people
A record 175 people died in June of illicit-drug overdoses
131 overdoses recorded by BC Emergency Health Services on June 26
