Judy Darcy, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, has released the following statement regarding the BC Coroners Service’s monthly report on illicit drug toxicity deaths for July 2020:

More people in B.C. will have access to life-saving overdose prevention, treatment and supports.

Judy Darcy, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, has released the following statement on the BC Coroners Service’s monthly illicit drug toxicity deaths report for June 2020:

People who use substances in B.C. will have greater access to ongoing support and health care services with seven new and nine expanded substance use teams to help people stay connected to health care services and treatment.

Increased access to treatment and recovery services will help more people living with addictions during two public health emergencies – the overdose crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic.

Judy Darcy, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, has released the following statement in response to the First Nations Health Authority release on the overdose death rate:

Government has introduced amendments to the Mental Health Act to improve the care and safety of youth under the age of 19 who are experiencing severe problematic substance use by providing short-term involuntary emergency stabilization care following an overdose.

British Columbians living with concurrent brain injuries and mental health and substance use challenges, as well as their families, will soon be able to provide input about the type of care they want and need to help them on their pathway to healing and hope.

A new 24/7 helpline for clinicians will provide health-care providers around British Columbia with live, in-the-moment addiction medicine support, while they are treating patients.