The toxic drug crisis in BC is one of the most contentious and widely discussed issues among politicians, healthcare providers and, residents alike but yet there still doesn’t seem to be a steadfast solution in sight.
That is the issue staring newly named health minister Josie Osbourne in the face as she takes over a hefty portfolio often treated viewed as a political football according to retired chief coroner Lisa Lapointe who retired from the role in February.
In January of 2023, the BC NDP began a decriminalization pilot project where adults could not be charged, arrested or have their drugs seized if they were in possession of under 2.5 grams.
This included cocaine, MDMA, opioids and, methamphetamine.
Fast forward 15 months and a public outcry to ban public drug use, the New Democrats did an about face this spring and gutted the pilot project.
Public drug use was once again made illegal across BC in parks, hospitals, transit and, beaches.
Osborne, who formerly held the role of Low Carbon, Energy and, Mines Minister is aiming to increase the number of treatment beds as well as decrease the large volume of fatalities still seen in this eight-year-long public health emergency.
This comes after David Eby’s newly elected government eliminated the stand-alone Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions.
In an interview with Vista Radio, Osborne stated the success of the overdose prevention site at Vancouver’s St Paul’s Hospital can be used as a shining example of how to decrease deaths on a monthly or yearly basis.
“Taking a very patient or person-centered approach and helping them along the road to recovery is very inspiring as to what is taking place there and we have made the commitment to expand the road to recovery across the province. That work is underway now and I am looking forward to digging into that.”
Prince George has recorded 99 overdose deaths in 2024, surpassing the previous record high of 92 set last year.
The BC Coroners Service noted unregulated drug toxicity remains the leading cause of unnatural death for people in British Columbia aged 10 to 59 and accounts for more deaths than homicides, suicides, accidents and, natural disease combined.
Osborne used cliche quotes like “this is a crisis that demands our full focus and attention” and “People need access to the treatment and recovery services that are essential for facing the toxic drug crisis.” – however, she did admit people living in rural, remote and first nation communities, especially in the north, need some of the barriers knocked down to access the health care they need.
“This crisis has impacted certain parts of our population like Indigenous peoples disproportionately as well as people living in rural communities up in the north. I come from a rural community myself, so I understand the distance to find and transport access to the treatment and recovery services that has been challenging.”
“Access to healthcare alone is about accessing doctors and primary care providers and being able to address our attention to the emergency department closures that these northern and rural communities are facing.”
So far this year, Northern Health has tallied 180 drug deaths.
Our health authority continues to have the highest drug death rate per 100,000 at 5.3.
The Coroners Service says 1,904 people have died of toxic drug overdoses so far this year. Last year the service reported 2,551 overdose deaths, the most ever recorded in a single year in BC.
“This is a focus on housing to provide stable, subsidized housing to give people the support that they need and to have the time and ability to focus on their addiction issues and this is about reducing stigma and helping people come together to support people with the issues they are facing,” added Osborne.
“Each person’s journey through this is different and we need to be there for people at the time when they need the support and have the support as close to home as possible. This means ensuring that there are mental health support and prevention services and that we are working with people on harm reduction. We want to reduce stigma so that people can speak to their healthcare providers and their families and co-workers about the situation they are facing and then when people are ready to get into treatment and recovery those in rural communities can get those expanded services.”
Speaking of supportive housing, a number of those initiatives have been launched in Prince George to combat homelessness, substance use addiction and, mental health issues.
This includes 100 supportive homes and complex-care units. Located on 1st Avenue and 140/150 Ontario St., construction began this summer on Phase 2 of a three-stage development.
Once completed, this phase will deliver 41 supportive homes, 10 complex care units and, a health clinic for vulnerable members of the community.
The project, is through a partnership between the Province, the City of Prince George and, Northern Health, is anticipated to be complete in 2026.
In June of 2023, the first ten units of the Ontario Street complex were unveiled.
In addition, 40 new supportive homes are also coming for young people experiencing homelessness in Prince George with the purchase of 1575 Queensway Ave. (formerly Hardwood Place Apartments).
The Province, through BC Housing, purchased the property, which will now be known as the Reconnect Youth Village. It will be renovated to provide a safe space for vulnerable youth. Improvements are expected to start this fall.
In November of 2023, the provincial government purchased the North Star Inn and former Lotus Hotel creating 123 new spaces. Both facilities required renovations which were expected to wrap up this year.
Lastly, a 42-unit temporary housing project in Prince George is nearing completion.
According to BC Housing, the facility, located on 397 Third Avenue will be ready in the coming weeks, helping those experiencing or are at risk of homelessness.
Residents who have been living in community shelters long-term or at the Lower-Patricia encampment and surrounding area are eligible to move in.
As if there wasn’t enough to talk about, Doctors for Safer Drug Policy have said overdose prevention sites would create a safe space for those who use drugs, with peer workers on hand to provide care and respond to medical emergencies and, would also create a safer space for health-care workers in hospitals as they remove drug use from that space.
However, the group set up unsanctioned overdose prevention sites in tents outside hospitals in Victoria and Nanaimo that were forced to close.
Osborne says her ministry along with the NDP will look at the proper remedy for this issue in the near future.
“We have made the commitment to undertake a review of overdose prevention sites with the mind of ensuring the security and safety of everybody involved including the people who live in the communities around these sites as well as those working in the sites. Again, this is one tool in the whole suite of prevention policies, mental health supports and increased treatment and recovery as well as focusing on getting more beds for treatment and recovery.”
BC politicians will head back to Victoria in mid-February highlighted by the Throne Speech on the 18th.
Budget Day will be March 4th.
Something going on in the Prince George area you think people should know about?
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