Bond accuses NDP of creating “free for all” for drug use in B.C. hospitals

VICTORIA — A leaked Northern Health memo has prompted Prince George-Valemount BC United MLA Shirley Bond to accuse the NDP government of creating a” free for all” for drug use in British Columbia Hospitals.

Bond says the memo from last summer at GR Baker Hospital in Quesnel ordered hospital staff not to go through personal belongings adding that patients can use substances in their rooms.

Bond says in one case, a mother started smoking meth just hours after giving birth, creating an unsafe workplace for all hospital staff and patients.

Health Minister Adrian Dix responded by noting they’ve hired 320 security officers to address security concerns and Mental Health and Addictions Minister Jennifer Whiteside pointed out that decriminalization of small amounts of drugs was supported unanimously in the legislature with the exception of the Conservative Party of BC because they weren’t at the table at the time.