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

This holiday season will be unlike any other for most of us.

People living in rural, remote and Indigenous communities will have access to more supports to prevent and respond to overdoses with the announcement of $1.3 million in funding to support overdose response and awareness in communities across B.C.

More young people in B.C. will have expanded access to life-saving interventions and mental health care through suicide prevention programs for First Nations and Métis youth, and post-secondary students.

On the occasion of World AIDS Day, British Columbia has reached new milestones in preventing HIV infections and improving the quality of life for people living with HIV.

Rachna Singh, Parliamentary Secretary for Anti-Racism Initiatives, has issued the following statement on Dr. Mary Ellen Turpel-Lafond’s report, In Plain Sight: Addressing Indigenous-specific Racism and Discrimination in B.C. Health Care:

The BC Coroners Service has published updated reports on illicit drug toxicity deaths and fentanyl-detected drug deaths to Oct. 31, 2020, with 162 illicit drug toxicity deaths reported in October.

People living with severe mental health challenges in British Columbia will have increased access to 24/7 community-based supports and services through six new Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) teams throughout province.

The mental health and well-being of B.C. students and staff are at the heart of a new Mental Health in Schools (MHiS) Strategy aimed at finding new and improved ways to support students who need help.

To help stop overdoses and save lives, Dr. Bonnie Henry, provincial health officer, has issued a public health order to increase the number of health professionals authorized to help people at risk for overdose access safer alternatives to the toxic street drug supply, as B.C. works to update prescribing guidance.