Twenty-seven communities and organizations in British Columbia will receive approximately $1.7 million in provincial funding to support local action to save lives, address stigma and connect more people to treatment and recovery.

Judy Darcy, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, issued the following statement regarding World Mental Health Day, Oct. 10, 2018:

Judy Darcy, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, has issued the following statement regarding the retirement of Bev Gutray, chief executive officer, Canadian Mental Health Association BC:

To help meet the demands of a growing population, the British Columbia government is moving forward with the next phase of a massive expansion of Royal Columbian Hospital (RCH) in New Westminster.

The opioid crisis is a national public health crisis that is devastating individuals, families and communities across the country. Tragically, nearly 4,000 Canadians lost their lives in 2017 as a result of apparent opioid-related overdoses. Without increased access to effective, evidence-based treatment options, people with substance use disorder will continue to be at risk for overdose. We must continue to work in a collaborative and comprehensive manner to address this crisis.

Judy Darcy, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, has issued the following statement on International Overdose Awareness Day:

Every day, three or four more British Columbians die from a drug overdose. It’s the worst public health crisis to hit our province in decades.