Though the risk of death posed by the unregulated drug supply remains extremely high, the number of deaths in British Columbia due to drug toxicity decreased from near-record levels in April to 176 lives lost in the month of May.

People throughout British Columbia will continue to have improved access to healthy and locally produced foods through the Farmers’ Market Nutrition Coupon Program.

Since enacting a new regulation to curb the sale of the diabetes drug semaglutide (Ozempic) to people who do not reside in British Columbia and Canada, the number of dispenses to U.S. residents has dropped more than 99%.

The BC Coroners Service has confirmed that a public inquest into the death of Howard Barry Shantz will begin on July 4, 2023, at 9:30 a.m. at the Burnaby Coroners Court (20th floor, 4720 Kingsway, Metrotower II, Metrotown).

Harwinder Sandhu, Parliamentary Secretary for Seniors’ Services and Long-Term Care, has issued the following statement in recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15, 2023:

The Province continues to provide support to evacuees in northeast B.C. who require assistance through Emergency Support Services (ESS), such as lodging, food, clothing and other incidentals.

British Columbia is taking action on the toxic drug crisis by being the first province in Canada to provide universal coverage for eligible medications used for the treatment of opioid-use disorder.

Adrian Dix, Minister of Health, has issued the following statement in recognition of National Blood Donor Week (June 11 to 17, 2023) and World Blood Donor Day on Wednesday, June 14:

Asbestos abatement contractors who operate in B.C. must be licensed by Jan. 1, 2024, making B.C. the first jurisdiction in Canada to implement a licensing requirement for this work.