3857 replies to this topic

[Mike K.]

At this point, the experts are so far in over their heads, that they can’t admit defeat. Billions of dollars have been spent on this issue since 2016, just in BC, and we have severely worsening outcomes.

The solution, clearly, is to go deeper down the same path. Because if you kill with kindness, it’s not so bad, I guess?

[Victoria Watcher]

About 6 people died per day in January from toxic illicit drugs


The BC Coroners Service says there were 207 suspected illicit drug toxicity deaths in January, making it the fourth consecutive month for the province to see more than 200 deaths connected to the crisis. It also is a 10 per cent increase over the same time period last year.

The majority of those dying were men between the ages of 30 to 59, the coroner says.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 11 March 2022 - 08:57 AM.

[Mike K.]

Protonitazene is starting to emerge on the continent as a substitute for fentanyl. It’s 3x as potent. Carfentanil is already here, but it’s so potent that it’s not as prevalent.

[Mike K.]

A fentanyl documentary filmed in Vancouver has just been published on YouTube. It looks like a pre-COVID production: https://youtu.be/0RTT8XJTl8I

$10 Death Trip

“It is wildfire. People will try it, love it, and never quit.”

[Mike K.]

This documentary speaks to what we’ve been saying on here for years.

The strongest, most powerful supply of fentanyl is what users seek. If it “drops people,” that’s what is being sought.

This is truly tragic.

[Nparker]

Let me guess: government-supplied fentanyl will be the answer.

[Victoria Watcher]

Alberta recorded its deadliest year on record for drug overdoses with more than 1,700 deaths in 2021.

The province released data late Thursday showing 176 people died in both November and December, bringing the yearly total to 1,758.

Not only did both months hit grim milestones – the highest single-month totals ever – but they capped off the worst year since Alberta began collecting data in 2016.


https://www.nelsonst...es-in-2021/amp/

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 18 March 2022 - 02:04 PM.

[Victoria Watcher]

On March 9, the day the BC Coroners Service released a report stating that 6,007 people died from an overdose between 2017 and 2021 – more than motor vehicle crashes, murders, suicides, drownings and fire-related deaths combined – Premier John Horgan pledged to strike an all-party committee to investigate and make recommendations towards B.C.’s worsening opioid crisis.

“It will take more than just safe supply, harm reduction (and) treatment. It will take enforcement so that we can eliminate the scourge of people in our society who profit off putting people in boxes. All of us feel the same sentiment here. All of us want to work together,” Horgan said during question period in the legislature last week.

https://www.saanichn...may-fall-short/

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 20 March 2022 - 06:07 AM.

[Mike K.]

It has taken this province longer to get to this point, where the Premier says “all of us want to work together,” than it took to win World War II.

[Victoria Watcher]

Is the free drugs program modelled after a wildly successful similar program elsewhere? Or are we the first to ever try this?

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 20 March 2022 - 07:28 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

Switzerland has a very controlled program for 1,500 patients.

https://www.northcar...in-with-heroin/

Doesn’t BC have something like 45,000 users?

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 20 March 2022 - 07:34 AM.

[Mike K.]

We have controlled groups here as well. Not sure how many, or how many people are participating.

[Victoria Watcher]

This is from a 2009 paper:

https://www.doctorso...ing_forward.pdf


33,000 have a serious dependence on illicit drugs.



So I imagine it’s over 50,000 today.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 20 March 2022 - 08:08 AM.

[Victoria Watcher]

Changes in illicit drug supply offer challenges for Victoria researchers

Its storefront open a year, UVic’s Substance project looks to scale up services

https://www.oakbayne...ia-researchers/


Scale it up! We already have more safe injection sites than anywhere else in North America. Why stop now?

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 23 March 2022 - 03:25 PM.

[Nparker]

Never a word about getting people off of illicit and highly addictive drugs. Pathetic.

[Victoria Watcher]

Illicit drug addicts coming to this province must think they have died, and gone to heaven with all the free services we provide.

Many will die, and go to heaven thanks to our compassion.

[Victoria Watcher]

Storefront drug-checking service aims to help drug users make informed choice, not tell people what to do

_______

The goal is not to tell people if the drugs are safe or unsafe for use, said Abby Hutchison, a UVic graduate student in public health and social policy and Substance employee.

https://www.timescol...t-to-do-5202252



Well, since Victoria has one of highest rates of illicit drug deaths per capita in all of North America, the service is obviously a roaring success.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 27 March 2022 - 06:20 AM.

[Mike K.]

In the event a drug is not properly tested, and someone injects the drug then dies, who is responsible?

[Victoria Watcher]

According to the article, or that line by Abby above, they would not have been warned anyway.

It’s all so bizarre.

Edited by Victoria Watcher, 27 March 2022 - 06:33 AM.

[Spy Black]

In the event a drug is not properly tested, and someone injects the drug then dies, who is responsible?

Good question ... does the deceased persons family now have a legal avenue to sue the COV, the Province, the person who did the testing?

 

"They said my sons drugs were OK, but then he died"