B.C. coroners’ review panel, which examined deaths of thousands of residents from toxic illicit drugs, says a non-medicalized model is ‘required with an emergent response’ to keep people alive
A panel struck to examine the deaths of thousands of British Columbians from toxic illicit drugs is recommending the province rapidly expand access to a safer drug supply and develop a governance framework with clear goals and targets to hold health officials accountable.
“Although a number of provincial initiatives have been undertaken in an attempt to address the drug toxicity crisis … the scale of these initiatives have not been sufficient to stop the rising death toll,” the panel said in a report released Wednesday. Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe convened the panel in mid-December to review the facts and circumstances of more than 6,000 illicit drug toxicity deaths in B.C. from Aug. 1, 2017, to July 31, 2021, and provide advice on medical, legal, social and other matters that may help prevent similar deaths. It is the second such panel since B.C. declared the public-health emergency.
By that same day, the groups should also have an action plan to develop and implement a “strategic management and governance framework that sets clear goals, targets and deliverable timeframes” for reducing drug deaths, the report said. This includes identifying roles and responsibilities among provincial and regional health authorities.
Canada Latest News, Canada Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Questions swirling over vaccine mandatesThere are signs the B.C. government may be flip-flopping on expanding the vaccine mandate to all health-care workers.
Read more »
Opposition to forced transfers of B.C. patients seeking medically assisted deathsDying With Dignity Canada says forced transfers happen when a patient makes an end\u002Dof\u002Dlife choice but is being treated in a facility that forbids medical…
Read more »
Hospitalizations due to COVID-19 see slight drop in B.C.; 11 more deaths recordedB.C. Health Ministry says COVID-19 hospitalizations continue to drop
Read more »
Report to be released that examines four years of overdose deaths in British ColumbiaA statement from the coroner’s office says the panel reviewed 6,000 deaths from toxic illicit drugs between 2017 and 2021.
Read more »