B.C. opposition leader proposes 'radical' mental health and addictions plan
With an unrelenting overdose crisis claiming an average of six lives a day in British Columbia — the opposition leader says there needs to be a bigger focus on treatment options, and is proposing a model he calls a "radical shift."
B.C. Liberal leader Kevin Falcon says if elected, one of the key areas would be to have affordable and accessible treatment options.
"We will eliminate user fees for publicly funded treatment beds and expand existing agreements with private operators so the money is never going to be a barrier to life-saving care," Falcon told reporters at an event Thursday.
He's also proposing using the Riverview Lands in Coquitlam to deliver programs, and to build recovery communities across the province — that can stay for up to a year. The cost is estimated at a billion-and-a-half dollars over three years.
He made the announcement with a recovery centre as the physical backdrop. The contextual backdrop is an alarming number of people that are dying each day in the province due to toxic drug overdoses.
Falcon criticized the government for what he saw as too much attention paid to harm reduction.
"I guarantee you it will not end well, if are entire purpose is to help people maintain an addiction lifestyle," he added, as he pushed for more treatment and recovery options as a way out of the crisis.
The province has several supervised consumption services and drug testing programs. This week, B.C. became the first jurisdiction in Canada to decriminalize those carrying small amounts of illicit drugs for personal use.
Elenore Sturko, a Liberal critic and former RCMP officer said the party supports the move, to a point.
"Treating personal drug use as a health-care issue and not a criminal justice one is something we stand behind, however decriminalization without a plan for treatment and recovery is patently irresponsible," Sturko added.
Many advocates say recovery services don't help those who are dead — and are pushing for safer supply.
The BC Coroners Service has struck several death review panels that made recommendations like greater access to a safer drug supply, a provincial strategy that can be measured by data, a fix for the patchwork system, and making sure all treatment and recovery centres abide by provincial standards.
On Tuesday, Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe addressed progress on those recommendations.
"In January 2023, large gaps remain in all of these areas," Lapointe said.
Successive governments haven't made a significant dent in the crisis. Mental health and addictions minister, Jennifer Whiteside said they're try to rebuild a fragmented system left behind by previous administrations.
Addressing the Falcon fix, Whiteside added, "We are building out the system of mental health and substance use care across the continuum of care, including treatment beds and harm reduction."
The province has made historic investments — the results just haven't followed.
More than 11,000 people have died due to illicit drug overdoses in B.C. since 2016.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Broadcaster and commentator Rex Murphy dead at 77: National Post
The National Post is reporting that Rex Murphy, the pundit and columnist who hosted a national call-in radio show for decades, has died.
Pearson gold heist suspect arrested after flying into Toronto from India
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Millions of cyberattacks per hour as B.C. government investigates multiple breaches
Careful attention to government statements and legislation is required to get a handle on the level of risk British Columbians’ information is under, as investigators probe multiple breaches under a continued barrage of attacks.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Debate on abortion rights erupts on Parliament Hill, Poilievre vows he won't legislate
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
Justin and Hailey Bieber are expecting their first child together
Hailey and Justin Bieber are going to be parents. The couple announced the news on Thursday on Instagram, both sharing a video that showcases Hailey Bieber's growing belly.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
New 'Lord of the Rings' film coming in 2026
The Oscar-winning team behind the nearly US$6 billion blockbuster 'Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit' trilogies is reuniting to produce two new films.