VICTORIA, B.C. – Today, the BC Coroners Service reported that in October 179 people died from suspected drug poisonings in British Columbia. Sonia Furstenau, leader of the B.C. Greens and MLA for Cowichan Valley, has issued the following statement:
"Premier David Eby needs to make clear to British Columbians what he intends to do to address the toll of the illicit toxic drug supply. This government is currently not doing enough to reduce the harms caused by toxic drugs.
“If Premier Eby truly wants to save lives, he would introduce widely accessible safe supply.
“We heard over and over from the 118 presenters who testified to the Select Standing Committee, safe supply needs to be expanded. I call on Premier Eby again to implement every recommendation of the committee’s report, and to take it a step further with expanded safe supply.
“The premier has spoken about forced treatment for people who use drugs, and has said very little on safe supply. Studies are clear that people face an increased risk of death immediately following forced treatment. Add to that forced treatment makes people even less likely to seek services at a later date, and treatment centres remain unregulated and without standards of care. Forced treatment will not result in fewer people dying from toxic drugs.”
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Media contact
JoJo Beattie
Press Secretary
B.C. Green Caucus
+1 250-882-6187 | [email protected]