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Doctors for Safer Drug Policy @dsdp.ca · 19h

"DeBeck said research showed that more treatment alone would not solve the issue of public drug use, saying a safer supply and alternatives to toxic drugs would help."

Doctors for Safer Drug Policy @dsdp.ca · 19h

"When we push them into an involuntary treatment setting, their tolerance for opiates goes down," she said.

"And if they have a relapse, they're much more likely to to die."

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Doctors for Safer Drug Policy @dsdp.ca · 19h

Kora DeBeck, a professor at Simon Fraser University's school of public policy, said she welcomed the funding — but that pushing someone into involuntary care against their will is ineffective.

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Doctors for Safer Drug Policy @dsdp.ca · 19h

"We understand that municipalities may be frustrated, but the question again is, 'Did we create the conditions where all of us can thrive?'" Larkin said.

"And if the answer is 'No,' we should not be blaming the people who are suffering."

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Doctors for Safer Drug Policy @dsdp.ca · 19h

"The advocate added that the coalition had concerns with B.C.'s addiction treatment facilities, saying that regulation was spotty for facilities that are often for-profit and advocate an abstinence-based approach to care."

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Doctors for Safer Drug Policy @dsdp.ca · 19h

All the good interviews are in the bottom half of this piece.

"Larkin said that the government should look at improving the quality of voluntary care, which could help drug users get help before they overdose multiple times and get brain injuries."

Canada Healthwatch 🍁 @canadahealthwatch.ca · 11d

Reactions to B.C. premier's announcement of new involuntary care facilities https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/bc-premier-involuntary-care-prince-george-surrey-1.7645702

𝗚𝗲𝘁 𝘄𝗲𝗲𝗸𝗹𝘆 𝘂𝗽𝗱𝗮𝘁𝗲𝘀 ⇢ CanadaHealthwatch.ca/newsletter

B.C. Premier David Eby, seen here earlier this year, announced on Friday that 100 new involuntary care beds are coming to Prince George and Surrey. The announcement has drawn praise from local councillors in those communities, even as advocates express concern over the province's approach.

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Reposted by Doctors for Safer Drug Policy

Angela Welz @heartforward.bsky.social · 21h

When the Alberta government claims that deaths from the toxic drug crisis are decreasing or stabilizing, take a look at this graph — it tells a very different story.

Involuntary care won’t fix this.
Compassion, harm reduction, on-demand voluntary treatment options, and real supports will.

Alt text:
Bar chart showing the monthly counts of drug poisoning deaths in Alberta from January 2016 to June 2025. The chart shows a steady increase over time, with deaths rising sharply around mid-2020 and peaking in several months between 2021 and 2025, reaching highs around 80–90 deaths per month.

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Doctors for Safer Drug Policy @dsdp.ca · 21h

www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...

"Governments need to treat substance use disorder like the medical condition that it is, and urgently expand the access to safer drugs and more care."

#bcpoli

Public warning issued in Campbell River, B.C., after 11 suspected overdose deaths in 5 weeks | CBC News

Officials have issued a public warning after 11 people died of suspected drug overdoses in Campbell River, B.C., over a five-week span.

www.cbc.ca

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Doctors for Safer Drug Policy @dsdp.ca · 2d

www.timescolonist.com/local-news/p...

"The synthetic opioid nitazene ... is showing up ... in counterfeit pressed pills sold as oxycodone, percocet and hydromorphone."

A predicted harm of the BC Government's crackdown on safer supply prescribing.

#bcpoli

Potent new drug turning up in counterfeit pills in Greater Victoria

Drug-checking service warns the synthetic opioid nitazene is showing up in counterfeit pills sold as oxycodone, percocet and hydromorphone.

www.timescolonist.com

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Doctors for Safer Drug Policy @dsdp.ca · 11d

cheknews.ca/unsanctioned...

Unsanctioned overdose prevention sites open again in Victoria, Nanaimo

Doctors for Safer Drug Policy installed two overdose prevention sites near Royal Jubilee Hospital and Nanaimo Regional General Hospital over the weekend.

cheknews.ca

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Doctors for Safer Drug Policy @dsdp.ca · 11d

It’s a creeping threat to us all. First they came for substance use care…

Susan Kim 김수잔 @susankimyyj.bsky.social · 11d

Ever since our friends at @dsdp.ca asked me why politicians think meddling in medicine is a good idea, I’ve been haunted. It’s not like MDs tell us how to upzone cities, so why do elected officials going against medical professionals get normalized?!

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Doctors for Safer Drug Policy @dsdp.ca · 11d

And again today!

Doctors for Safer Drug Policy @dsdp.ca · 12d

We are running an OPS outside RJH today! Come on down to see what the fuss is about! The government still hasn’t followed through on its commitment to fund three OPS at Island hospitals.

#bcpoli #harmreduction

Volunteers hang out with snacks and harm reduction supplies. A Doctors for Safer Drug Policy banner flies proudly.

Overdose Prevention Site tents and banners just outside Royal Jubilee Hospital.

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Doctors for Safer Drug Policy @dsdp.ca · 12d

www.nanaimobulletin.com/local-news/p...

Patient care: Overdose prevention sites return to Nanaimo, Victoria hospitals

'Hospital-based overdose prevention sites not only save patients’ lives, they also protect hospital staff'

www.nanaimobulletin.com

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Doctors for Safer Drug Policy @dsdp.ca · 12d

We are running an OPS outside RJH today! Come on down to see what the fuss is about! The government still hasn’t followed through on its commitment to fund three OPS at Island hospitals.

#bcpoli #harmreduction

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Doctors for Safer Drug Policy @dsdp.ca · 19d

Hi there @davethompsonvic.bsky.social

thetyee.ca/News/2025/09...

‘Street Sweeps’ Increase Overdose and Violence Risks, Study Finds | The Tyee

City workers in Vancouver have been confiscating tents and personal belongings from unhoused people since 2008.

thetyee.ca

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Doctors for Safer Drug Policy @dsdp.ca · 24d

www.chly.ca/local-news/2...

Die-in demands attention to overdose deaths — CHLY 101.7FM: Listener Supported in Nanaimo BC.

Sunday August 31st was International Overdose Awareness Day, and communities across Vancouver Island gathered on Friday August 29th to honour the day. The Village Clinic in Courtenay hosted an event a...

www.chly.ca

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Doctors for Safer Drug Policy @dsdp.ca · 24d

www.frequencynews.ca/news/overdos...

Overdose Awareness Day “die-in” demands attention to overdose deaths

On Friday, August 29th an estimated 150 people gathered at the Comox Valley Art Gallery to honour International Overdose Awareness Day (August 31st). As part of the event…

www.frequencynews.ca

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Doctors for Safer Drug Policy @dsdp.ca · 24d

www.vicnews.com/local-news/v...

Victoria council votes down call to oppose drug decriminalization renewal

One councillor called the motion 'at worst, a callous disregard' for lives lost

www.vicnews.com

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Reposted by Doctors for Safer Drug Policy

Canadian Medical Association @cmadocs.bsky.social · Sep 4

The Canadian Medical Association stands with our colleagues at the American Medical Association (AMA) in calling on Florida to reverse its plans to end all vaccine mandates, including those required for school attendance.
Our statement ⬇️

CMA stands with U.S. doctors, urges decisions be based on science and facts

Childhood vaccines prevent illness and save lives. The Canadian Medical Association (CMA) stands with our colleagues at the American Medical Association (AMA) in calling on Florida to reverse its plan...

bit.ly

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Reposted by Doctors for Safer Drug Policy

Iron Spike @ironspike.bsky.social · Aug 30

Broken record territory rapidly approaching, but once again: Homelessness is not a societal inevitability. It's a policy failure.

This is a solvable issue with a known solution, even under capitalism, because that solution is less expensive than the current responses.

We just don't want to do it.

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Doctors for Safer Drug Policy @dsdp.ca · Sep 7

One of our founders, Dr. Kelsey Roden, lays out what we need.

#bcpoli #IOAD #harmreduction

www.youtube.com/watch?v=WS_h...

Kelsey

YouTube video by R D

www.youtube.com

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Doctors for Safer Drug Policy @dsdp.ca · Sep 7

Extra special thanks to @jaythecree for his incredible hoop dancing performance which closed out the Victoria event with a feeling of positivity and hope.

Jay the Cree gives an incredible hoop dancing performance which closed out the Victoria event with a feeling of positivity and hope.

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Doctors for Safer Drug Policy @dsdp.ca · Sep 7

We then gathered together on the Legislature steps in a die-in to demonstrate how far this crisis has affected us. From the loss of coworkers, patients, neighbours, loved ones, and even the impact on those supporting front line workers.

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Doctors for Safer Drug Policy @dsdp.ca · Sep 7

Enough is enough. And this weekend, we said so.
We are so thankful for the many volunteers who made all these events possible. Special thanks to our allies @momsstoptheharm for being such a voice of power.

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Doctors for Safer Drug Policy @dsdp.ca · Sep 7

We want evidence-based policy.
We need harm reduction.
We need people with lived experience to be given a voice to lead policy.
We want our government to focus on social determinants of health.

Members look on as our speakers bring down the hammer. One of our doctors holds a sign that shows one of the things that is killing our patients: "Lack of Safe Supply."

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