Audit finds 2 B.C. toxic drug harm-reduction programs weren't effectively implemented

An audit of two harm-reduction programs meant to reduce toxic drug-related deaths in B.C. found the initiatives "weren't effectively implemented."

Auditor General Michael Pickup released his findings Tuesday, after reviewing overdose prevention and supervised consumption sites in the province, as well as B.C.'s prescribed safer supply program.

"In both of these audits we found significant deficiencies in the province-wide implmentation of these programs,” said Pickup at a news conference Tuesday. "The crisis is also an immense challenge for those working to provide care and support for people who use substances. My team and I have a deep sense of empathy for everyone who has been touched by this continuing tragedy."

B.C. has just under 50 overdose prevention sites, and the BC Coroners Service says there has been one death in the province at a site this year.

While Pickup's review of the sites found ministries monitored their operational performance, his report said they did not "adequately respond to implementation barriers, such as municipal resistance, site selection and challenges related to the hiring and retention of staff."

Premier David Eby addressed the audit during an unrelated news conference on housing.

“It’s important to note he’s not saying stop the program,” said Eby. “He’s not saying the program doesn’t work. He’s saying he wants more of it in every part of the province.”

Pickup also noted that there wasn't a minimum service standard at the sites to ensure consistent quality and availability of services. His review determined provincial guidance "did not always reflect consultations with Indigenous people and people with lived and living experience."

"These deficiencies have impacts on the people who need these services, their families and the health-care system," Pickup's statement said. "Overdose prevention and supervised consumption services are critical to saving lives and connecting people to the supports they need."

Safer-supply program

Pickup also reviewed B.C.'s safer-supply program, which has generated criticism since its implementation, including from federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, who both claimed that drugs from the program were being diverted into the rest of Canada.

But Solicitor General Mike Farnworth said last week that there's no evidence of widespread diversion of the safe-supply drugs.

The audit also found there was a lack of data shared publicly by the province regarding the safer supply program, specifically the issue of diversion.

“Transparency to the public to ensure the public understands what’s happening with this program, it’s paramount,” said Elenore Sturko, BC United MLA. “I really think it’s a failure of this government to be sitting on this type of information, to be sitting on data and not releasing it.”

In his review, Pickup said better collaboration is needed between provincial ministries, health authorities, health sector partners, Indigenous communities and people with lived experience. He also said the ministries involved "didn't adequately address key implementation barriers, such as the lack of prescribers and the limited types of available drugs."

Pickup also said public reporting on the safer-supply program "was lacking," but he did not directly mention diversion of safe-supply drugs.

"This is a novel program that required transparency with key partners to build trust," Pickup said. "We found that the ministries' approach to collaboration with health-sector partners and public reporting was insufficient."

The audit also made mention of prescribed safer supply drugs not being potent enough for some users, which could have the unintended consequence of steering users into using the toxic street supply. Premier Eby addressed that concern.

“One of the concerns that’s been raised by some advocates is there are some drugs that people are using on the street that are quite toxic and that we should provide some of these drugs through the prescribed alternatives program. Drugs like crystal meth, cocaine, crack and other drugs. We are not going to do that,” said Eby.

Pickup made seven recommendations through his reviews, all of which have been accepted by the provincial ministries involved. 

With files from The Canadian Press