Sheila Malcolmson, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, has released the following statement regarding the Select Standing Committee on Health’s report on the toxic drug crisis:

“The poisoned drug supply is taking the lives of our loved ones, with a disproportionate impact on Indigenous people. This is unacceptable. We must end this tragic loss of life.

“I am grateful to the committee for their hard work on this complex and evolving public-health emergency. Thanks also to the nearly 1,000 people, organizations and subject-matter experts who shared their advice and personal experience with the committee.

“The recommendations from the Special Committee on Health on the illicit drug toxicity and overdose crisis reaffirm the tools our government is using to tackle the public-health emergency in British Columbia.

“Over the past five years, our government has been building a system of mental-health and substance-use care; one that didn’t exist prior to 2017. From investments into new treatment, more supports for young people and new overdose prevention measures, our government has scaled up and expanded access to make sure when people ask for help, services are available for them.  

“The committee’s report and recommendations reinforce our government’s continued action to expand and build new supports and services throughout the province. As the illicit drug supply gets increasingly more toxic, we face a rising tide of need in British Columbia. There is more to do to tackle this public-health emergency. We will not stop working until we turn this crisis around and people in our province can get the help they need.”