National

Despite council support, VCH no longer considering contentious drug consumption site

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 15 Feb, 2024 10:54 AM

Vancouver Coastal Health says it is no longer considering a stand-alone supervised consumption site in Richmond, British Columbia.

The decision was announced late Wednesday in a statement from VCH, which said that, based on the latest Public Health data, such a facility would not be the most appropriate service for those at risk of overdose in the community.

It noted that the Richmond Local Health Area is reporting a comparatively low rate of drug toxicity deaths, adding that those numbers are slowly coming down.

The media release went on to suggest that stand-alone sites work best in communities where there is a significant concentration of people at-risk, since people will not travel far for these services.

The change in plans also comes days after the matter was discussed at Richmond City Hall. Following two days of heated debate, council voted 7-2 in favour of exploring the possibility of establishing such a site for people with addictions in the city.

VCH says it will continue to work with the city to bolster other overdose prevention services, to keep people safe and to continue expanding access to addiction treatment.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

2 bystanders being praised for quick action in preventing stabbing

Mounties are praising two bystanders in Kelowna who jumped into action and disarmed a man who allegedly stabbed a woman at a bus station. Mounties say two "good samaritans" were physically detaining the suspect when an officer arrived to arrest the man.

2 bystanders being praised for quick action in preventing stabbing

Vancouver needs a 9% annual property tax hike to maintain its fiscal outlook

The report says the outlook for operating expenditures is driven by factors, including higher fixed costs to provide existing service levels, the renewal of infrastructure and public amenities, Metro Vancouver levies, and the implementation of key initiatives from the 2023 budget, such as the hiring of additional police officers.'

Vancouver needs a 9% annual property tax hike to maintain its fiscal outlook

B.C. warns of summer drought, asks people to conserve water

A statement from the Forests Ministry says recent rains have provided some relief in parts of B.C., but it hasn't been enough to make up the deficit. B.C.'s drought map shows much of the northeastern corner of the province is at drought level four on the five-level scale, meaning conditions are extremely dry with communities and ecosystems likely to experience adverse impacts.

B.C. warns of summer drought, asks people to conserve water

Reign of world's largest hockey stick coming to an end as Duncan holds survey

The 28,118-kilogram stick was built to mark the entrance to the Canada pavilion at Vancouver's Expo in 1986, but 37 years later the Cowichan Valley Regional District said it is coming to "the end of its life."

Reign of world's largest hockey stick coming to an end as Duncan holds survey

B.C. public schools move away from letter grades from kindergarten to Grade 9

A statement from the Education Ministry says that starting in the 2023-2024 school year, only students in grades 10, 11 and 12 will receive letter grades and percentages so post-secondary entry requirements are met.

B.C. public schools move away from letter grades from kindergarten to Grade 9

Body found in vacant lot: VPD

Police say a body has been found in a vacant lot in East Vancouver. Constable Tania Visintin says the discovery was made last night by a passerby. It's Vancouver's ninth homicide of 2023.