Drugs

Methamphetamine, heroin and cocaine from a safe supply being handed out to drug users by the Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users, Drug User Liberation Front and Moms Stop the Harm to mark International Overdose Awareness Day, are displayed in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, on Tuesday, August 31, 2021. British Columbia’s chief coroner says at least 1,011 people died from suspected illicit drug overdoses from January to June, the highest death toll recorded in the first six months of a calendar year during the province’s overdose crisis. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Alberta police chiefs say too soon to support drug decriminalization

Calgary chief constable says decriminalization alone wouldn’t reduce addiction or overdose rates.

 

Minister of Health Jean-Yves Duclos participates in a news conference on the COVID-19 pandemic and the omicron variant, in Ottawa, on Friday, Dec. 17, 2021. Duclos has put a six-month pause on new regulations designed to lower the cost of patented medicines in Canada. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang

Liberals delay new regulations to lower price of medicines in Canada

The regulations were supposed to come into force at the beginning of January

 

An addict uses the sign for a mobile needle exchange program to block the wind as he tries to smoke crack in an alley in Abbotsford, B.C., on July 5, 2012. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

More work to be done as Canada ranks sixth in global drug policy index: experts

Canadian Drug Policy Coalition: ‘It’s a passing grade, but (Canada) is not doing well’

 

A used naloxone kit is seen on the sidewalk as paramedics from B.C. Ambulance respond to a drug overdose in downtown Vancouver, Wednesday, June 23, 2021. Over the past several years the drug overdoses not only across British Columbia but throughout Canada have but grown. On June, 23, 2021 for instance B.C. Ambulance paramedics responded to 140 overdose calls across the province with 42 of those being just in Vancouver. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Illicit drug deaths hit grim record high in the first 9 months of 2021: BC Coroners Service

Coroners service said that the death rate from illicit drug overdoses has risen to 39.4 per 100,000 residents

A used naloxone kit is seen on the sidewalk as paramedics from B.C. Ambulance respond to a drug overdose in downtown Vancouver, Wednesday, June 23, 2021. Over the past several years the drug overdoses not only across British Columbia but throughout Canada have but grown. On June, 23, 2021 for instance B.C. Ambulance paramedics responded to 140 overdose calls across the province with 42 of those being just in Vancouver. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
Dr. Raimar Lobenberg, director of Applied Pharmaceutical Innovation and University of Alberta professor, works with researcher Chulhun Park on an automated filling machine in a cleanroom used for clinical trial production in an undated handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-University of Alberta, *MANDATORY CREDIT*

Scientists hope to link lab bench with pharmacy shelves through Edmonton drug plant

World-leading lab, drug manufacturer hope to plug hole in Canada’s drug supply system

Dr. Raimar Lobenberg, director of Applied Pharmaceutical Innovation and University of Alberta professor, works with researcher Chulhun Park on an automated filling machine in a cleanroom used for clinical trial production in an undated handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-University of Alberta, *MANDATORY CREDIT*
A shelf of drugs at a pharmacy in Quebec City on March 8, 2012. Critics of a major drug-price overhaul hope a new federal cabinet will put a temporary stop to the new regulations set to come into effect in January. The Patented Medicine Prices Review Board is set to change the way it sets a price cap on medicines in Canada in an effort to lower excessively expensive drug prices. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot

Critics hope Trudeau’s new cabinet will put a stop to drug-price regulation changes

Overhaul has drawn the disapproval of patient groups and drug manufacturers

A shelf of drugs at a pharmacy in Quebec City on March 8, 2012. Critics of a major drug-price overhaul hope a new federal cabinet will put a temporary stop to the new regulations set to come into effect in January. The Patented Medicine Prices Review Board is set to change the way it sets a price cap on medicines in Canada in an effort to lower excessively expensive drug prices. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot
People hold a banner during a march to remember those who died during the overdose crisis and to call for a safe supply of illicit drugs on International Overdose Awareness Day, in Vancouver, on Tuesday, August 31, 2021. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is being urged to decriminalize the possession and use of illicit drugs as a way to combat the opioid crisis that has resulted in thousands of deaths in Canada.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Trudeau urged to make decriminalization of illicit drugs a priority

Almost 23,000 Canadians died from an opioid overdose between January 2016 and March 2021

People hold a banner during a march to remember those who died during the overdose crisis and to call for a safe supply of illicit drugs on International Overdose Awareness Day, in Vancouver, on Tuesday, August 31, 2021. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is being urged to decriminalize the possession and use of illicit drugs as a way to combat the opioid crisis that has resulted in thousands of deaths in Canada.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Matsqui Institution in Abbotsford (Abbotsford News file photo)

Crystal meth worth $183K located at Abbotsford prison

Package containing the drugs seized Oct. 11 from Matsqui Institution

Matsqui Institution in Abbotsford (Abbotsford News file photo)
A photo of the drugs seized on the sailboat that was caught off the coast of Nova Scotia. (Photo: RCMP)

Kelowna man arrested after 500 kilos of cocaine found on boat near Nova Scotia

Aleck Villeneuve, 38, faces several drug trafficking charges

A photo of the drugs seized on the sailboat that was caught off the coast of Nova Scotia. (Photo: RCMP)
Axis House Withdrawal Management offers short-term detox stays in Castlegar. Photo: Betsy Kline

Castlegar detox centre sees uptick in alcohol-related visits during pandemic

Axis House Withdrawal Management services are available to anyone in the Kootenay-Boundary region

Axis House Withdrawal Management offers short-term detox stays in Castlegar. Photo: Betsy Kline
A man plays the tuba as the National Guard patrols downtown Jerez, Zacatecas state, Mexico, Friday, July 16, 2021. For years, much of Mexico’s violence was focused along its northern border in cities like Tijuana, Ciudad Juarez and Nuevo Laredo. Now Zacatecas, including in the state capital of the same name, awaken everyday to the violence. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)

Mexican cartel threatens news anchor, demands equal coverage

Video message said cartel did not want to inhibit freedom of expression, just wanted even coverage

A man plays the tuba as the National Guard patrols downtown Jerez, Zacatecas state, Mexico, Friday, July 16, 2021. For years, much of Mexico’s violence was focused along its northern border in cities like Tijuana, Ciudad Juarez and Nuevo Laredo. Now Zacatecas, including in the state capital of the same name, awaken everyday to the violence. (AP Photo/Marco Ugarte)
A man prepares heroin to be injected at the Insite safe injection clinic in Vancouver on May 11, 2011. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Urgent need in Alberta to address potent drug supply, overdose crisis: health experts

More than 105 people died each month from drug poisoning between May 2020 and April 2021

A man prepares heroin to be injected at the Insite safe injection clinic in Vancouver on May 11, 2011. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Protesters march towards the House of Representatives where Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is set to deliver his final State of the Nation Address in Quezon city on Monday, July 26, 2021. Duterte is winding down his six-year term amid a raging pandemic and a battered economy. (AP Photo/Gerard Carreon)

Philippine leader unabashedly threatens to kill drug dealers

Duterte: ‘You can do it the legal way, but it would take you months and years’

Protesters march towards the House of Representatives where Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte is set to deliver his final State of the Nation Address in Quezon city on Monday, July 26, 2021. Duterte is winding down his six-year term amid a raging pandemic and a battered economy. (AP Photo/Gerard Carreon)
FILE - This July 6, 2017 file photo shows prescription drugs in a glass flask at the state crime lab in Taylorsville, Utah. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)

Contaminants in generic drugs may cause long-term harm to DNA: B.C. researcher

Scientist says findings suggest high volume overseas facilities require strict regulation

FILE - This July 6, 2017 file photo shows prescription drugs in a glass flask at the state crime lab in Taylorsville, Utah. (AP Photo/Rick Bowmer, File)
Vancouver Mayor Kennedy Stewart speaks during a press conference in Vancouver on July 4, 2019. A plan by the City of Vancouver to gain Health Canada approval of the decriminalization of small amounts of illicit drugs has won support from the mayors of seven other British Columbia cities. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

B.C. mayors back Vancouver’s bid to decriminalize drugs, urge federal support

The mayors of Victoria, Saanich, Nanaimo, Kamloops, Burnaby, New Westminster and Port Coquitlam say they support eliminating criminal penalties for simple possession

Vancouver Mayor Kennedy Stewart speaks during a press conference in Vancouver on July 4, 2019. A plan by the City of Vancouver to gain Health Canada approval of the decriminalization of small amounts of illicit drugs has won support from the mayors of seven other British Columbia cities. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Photo: Trail RCMP

Trail arrest leads to seizure of loaded handgun, drugs and cash

The Castlegar man was released on a $1,500 cash surety

Photo: Trail RCMP
A man holds a sign during a protest against the proposed Vancouver Model for illicit drug decriminalization, in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, on May 11, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Vancouver sends drug decriminalization pitch to Health Canada for federal review

“Vancouver Model” proposes personal possession threshold levels for 15 common substances

A man holds a sign during a protest against the proposed Vancouver Model for illicit drug decriminalization, in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, on May 11, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Police say a traffic stop of a rental vehicle on 16 Avenue led to the seizure of a large dialer bag full of suspected crack cocaine and powder cocaine. The suspectec drugs were found inside the rectum of the vehicle’s passenger. (Surrey RCMP photo)

Suspected drugs pulled from passenger’s rectum following Surrey vehicle stop

Trafficking charges pending for two arrested May 14

Police say a traffic stop of a rental vehicle on 16 Avenue led to the seizure of a large dialer bag full of suspected crack cocaine and powder cocaine. The suspectec drugs were found inside the rectum of the vehicle’s passenger. (Surrey RCMP photo)
Vancouver mayor-elect Kennedy Stewart addresses supporters in Vancouver on Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Vancouver mayor says there’s no time to redo details of drug decriminalization plan

Kennedy Stewart says a federal election could see the small window of opportunity close on the city’s bid for an exemption from criminal provisions on simple possession of small amounts of drugs

Vancouver mayor-elect Kennedy Stewart addresses supporters in Vancouver on Sunday, Oct. 21, 2018. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Minister of Health Patty Hajdu responds to a question during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Drug users were shut out of Vancouver’s decriminalization proposal, critics say, demanding redo

The coalition is asking the city to raise the proposed drug thresholds from a 3-day supply

Minister of Health Patty Hajdu responds to a question during question period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick