Legalization advocate opens new drug testing site in Vancouver
A new drug testing site has opened in Vancouver, the second launched by legalization activist Dana Larsen.
The Get Your Drugs Tested service on West Broadway offers testing for free. Larsen says the new site is legally approved to operate by Vancouver Coastal Health.
“We’ll test anything people bring in, any kind of substance. That can be anything from heroin, cocaine to other substances. We test psychedelics like MDMA, any street drug or pill, we can analyze it and give you a very good idea of what’s in there and make an informed decision on what you’re taking,” said Larsen at the grand opening event.
New toxic drug alerts warning of laced supply are issued by B.C. health authorities frequently.
The Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions says there are 90 drug-checking services across B.C., and that “46 of these offer immediate point-of-care testing with FTIR spectrometer on some days of the week.”
“Lifesaving supports such as drug checking, overdose prevention services, and providing harm reduction supplies keep people alive so they can access health care and treatment,” reads a statement from the ministry. “People need to be alive to get help. Drug checking is a harm reduction service aimed at keeping people alive - to help reduce the risk of overdose or poisoning from the toxic street drugs being pushed on people by organized crime.”
More than 2,089 people have lost their lives to lethal overdoses in the first 10 months of 2023, according to the B.C. Coroners Service.
“The toxic drug crisis is taking too many lives, and it’s hurting people and communities,” adds the ministry.
Critics argue the province isn’t doing enough.
“It’s a failure,” said BC United Mental Health critic Elenore Sturko. “I want to be able to also see individuals receive drug testing. I want lives to be saved, but I think we should not be reliant on individuals and businesses, that this an obligation of the government and they should fulfill that obligation.”
“I think we should be having these kind of services in every city and town across British Columbia, and it’s really a shame that our health authorities haven’t done that, so we’re doing our best to fill the gap,” said Larsen.
The ministry says since 2018, more than 90,000 drug samples have been tested in B.C.
Larsen says his initial testing site on East Hastings has tested nearly 60,000 samples since it opened in 2019, adding he doesn’t receive any funding from the province; he uses revenue from his cannabis and mushroom dispensaries to pay for the testing sites.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING 122 active wildfires burning across Canada, 32 considered 'out of control'
The 2024 wildfire season has begun, and it's shaping up to follow last year's unprecedented destruction in kind, with thousands of square kilometres already consumed.
B.C. parents sentenced to 15 years for death of 6-year-old boy
A British Columbia Supreme Court judge has sentenced the mother and stepfather of a six-year-old boy who died from blunt-force trauma in 2018 to 15 years in prison.
Veteran TSN sportscaster Darren Dutchyshen has died
Veteran TSN broadcaster Darren 'Dutch' Dutchyshen, one of Canada’s best-known sports journalists, has died. He was 57. His family says 'he passed as he was surrounded by his closest loved ones.'
Miller scores late as Canucks grind out 3-2 win over Oilers in Game 5
J.T. Miller scored in the final minute of the game and the Vancouver Canucks came back for a 3-2 victory over the Edmonton Oilers in Game 5 of their second-round playoff series Thursday.
Think twice before sharing 'heartbreaking' social media posts, RCMP warn
Mounties in B.C. are urging people to think twice before sharing "heartbreaking posts" on social media.
Police issue Canada-wide warrant for Regina homicide suspect
Police have issued a Canada-wide warrant for a man wanted in a homicide which occurred in Regina on May 12.
Trudeau calls New Brunswick's Conservative government a 'disgrace' on women's rights
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau assailed New Brunswick's premier and other conservative leaders on Thursday, calling out the provincial government's position on abortion, LGBTQ youth and climate change.
Kevin Spacey receives star support as he fights to get his career back
Kevin Spacey is pushing back on the 'rush to judgment' against him and is being backed by some big names as he seeks to reclaim his acting career.
Speaker cuts ties with Sask. Party, alleges he faced threats, harassment from gov't MLAs
The Speaker of the Saskatchewan Legislature Randy Weekes has severed ties with the Sask. Party after accusing some members of harassment and intimidation tactics, including a situation he claimed saw the Government House Leader bring a hunting rifle to the legislative building.