Province accelerating overdose prevention and treatment supports amidst pandemic

VICTORIA—The province is providing more supports for British Columbians struggling with addictions in an attempt to accelerate the response to increasing overdose deaths in B.C.

More people will now have access to overdose prevention, treatment and supports as part of the $10.5 million in funding to help speed up the fight against illicit drugs and overdoses in B.C. during the COVID-19 pandemic as users turn to toxic street supply.

“Last month saw a record number of lives lost to overdose – all the more heart-breaking since before COVID-19, we had managed to bring deaths down for the first time. The illicit drug supply is more toxic than ever before. That’s why we are accelerating our response to connect more people to life-saving prevention and treatment services and supports as we work to build a full continuum of care that works for all British Columbians. Together, we can stem this terrible tide.”—Judy Darcy, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions

The funding will increase overdose prevention services, access to safe prescription alternatives, to deter people from toxic street drugs, and add new outreach teams to help prevent overdose deaths.