The Province is reviewing a recent report by B.C.’s provincial health officer, Dr. Bonnie Henry, about the Prescribed Safer Supply program (prescribed alternatives), while making immediate updates to the program based on her recommendations to reduce unintended harms and help people living with addiction stay alive.

Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, has released the following statement regarding the BC Coroners Service report on illicit drug-toxicity deaths in June:

Premier David Eby; Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions; and Dr. Bonnie Henry, provincial health officer, have issued the following statement on the seven-year anniversary of toxic drug-related overdoses being declared a public-health emergency in British Columbia:

Young people in Richmond will have access to more mental-health and substance-use services with the opening of the Foundry centre’s permanent location.

Young people throughout Greater Vancouver will have increased access to expanded, community-based mental-health and recovery programs.

Health-care and community social services workers throughout British Columbia will be able to access more mental-health supports as the province expands tailor-made programs for the sector.

People throughout British Columbia will continue to benefit from access to low- and no-cost counselling services with the extension of government funding to local community counselling agencies.