Drugs

Drugs

35 Island youth killed by toxic drugs in the last 5 years

Robyn Bell
May 29, 2024

126 youth died in BC between 2019-2023.

Drugs

Overdoses in BC harder to treat with rise of benzodiazepines in toxic drugs

Robyn Bell
May 9, 2024

Benzos were linked to nearly 50% of all toxic drug deaths on the Island in 2023

Drugs

470 Islanders died from toxic drugs in 2023

Robyn Bell
January 24, 2024

Last year marked the highest toxic drug death rate in BC since recording began

Drugs

A chilling trend: Drug deaths rise as winter begins

Robyn Bell
December 17, 2023

Experts in Victoria say the combination of cold weather and the holidays increases risk of overdoses

Drugs

Panel recommends increased access to safer supply as toxic drug deaths rose on the Island

Robyn Bell
November 1, 2023

A non-prescription safer supply among recommendations from BC Coroner's Service panel

Drugs

Under shifting legislation, people who use drugs are caught between rules & risks

As BC tightens public drug use rules, exemptions around possession may be losing their intended impact

Drugs

More Victorians are getting their drugs checked before using

By Brishti Basu
January 9, 2023

The Island’s drug checking project tested 400% more samples over the holidays compared to last year

Drugs

‘One drink is the same mortality risk as one cigarette,’ UVic researcher says

By Shannon Waters
January 1, 2023

Most of us know alcohol is not good for us, but do we really understand the risks?