Province increases funding for drug overdose response

The B.C. government is spending an extra $10.5 million to provide more people with life-saving overdose prevention, treatment and supports.

Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, Judy Darcy, said it will accelerate the response to the toxic drug supply around the province, which when combined with the COVID-19 pandemic, led to a record number of deaths last month.

“There have been devastating consequences for people who use substances during dual public health emergencies,” Darcy said. “Last month saw a record number of lives lost to overdose — all the more heart-breaking since before COVID-19, we had managed to bring deaths down for the first time. The illicit drug supply is more toxic than ever before. That’s why we are accelerating our response to connect more people to life-saving prevention and treatment services and supports as we work to build a full continuum of care that works for all British Columbians. Together, we can stem this terrible tide.”

The funding will increase overdose prevention services, expand access to safe prescription alternatives and add new outreach teams to help prevent overdose deaths, and connect more people to treatment and recovery.