British Columbia: B-C’s chief coroner says it’s been ”extremely disappointing” to see overdose deaths turned into ”political fodder” for critics of harm reduction and decriminalization as the province hits another
record toll.
Lisa Lapointe says two-thousand-511 people died of suspected illicit drug poisoning last year, which is the highest annual number
recorded.
Lapointe says asking doctors to prescribe a safe supply will not address the crisis and only about five-thousand people have access
to prescribed safer supply.
B-C Mental Health and Addictions Minister Jennifer Whiteside says the higher number of deaths reflects “increased volatility and toxicity” in the illicit drug supply, and the province will not
back down from its support for law enforcement in going after ”predatory drug dealers” to keep communities safe.
(The Canadian Press)