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Historic Change For Health Position

Jan 24, 2018 | 5:16 PM

BC’s incoming provincial health officer didn’t take long to create her first headlines.

Dr. Bonnie Henry — who starts her duties next month — isn’t a fan of the idea to sell recreational marijuana at BC Liquor stores, one model the province is considering.

“I do have concerns that have been expressed about co-locating those two products and the impacts that might have, so we’ve expressed that, and it’s certainly up to others to make that decision,” says Henry.

Henry is taking over for Dr. Perry Kendall, who is retiring after nearly 20 years at the position.

She is the first woman to hold the position in BC.

Henry says the opioid crisis is the top issue on her plate, with the focus needing to be on what can be done in individual communities.

“But broader than that, we need to look at how we can build a system that can support people where they are in their journey of problematic substance use and mental health issues, and I think that’s the main crux of the work going forward.”

Pictured: Dr. Bonnie Henry (UBC)