Safe supply: Vancouver police deputy chief says large amounts of opioids being diverted
British Columbia’s decriminalization pilot project has been a key topic of discussion at various levels of government in recent weeks, with the conversation re-igniting after comments about diversion by a high-ranking officer of the Vancouver Police Department.
While addressing a House of Commons committee Monday, Deputy Chief Fiona Wilson claimed about 50 per cent of hydromorphone seizures were diverted from safe supply drugs.
“That’s just in recognition of the fact that someone who’s on a bonafide safe supply program has a more regular significant supply,” said Wilson, who was speaking in her role as the president of the B.C. Association of Chiefs of Police.
Wilson said that roughly 20 per cent of hydromorphone prescriptions in B.C. are from safe supply.
Premier David Eby was asked about these comments Tuesday, and said that this was the first time his government had heard these numbers from the VPD.
“Our government wants this information, we want to identify where and how it’s being diverted,” he said.
"Fifty per cent of the hydromorphone diverted is not from prescribed alternatives its from people’s prescriptions for pain or other uses, we need to stop all diversion."
Wilson’s comments also drew a rise from the opposition.
“It’s what we’ve been saying all along, that there is a diversion of safe supply, hydromorphone in particular,” said Elenore Sturko, B.C. United's shadow minister for mental health and addictions.
“It’s a pilot, it’s time to end this pilot,” she said.
“It doesn’t mean we can’t work on another solution but right now what is going on is not working."
Wilson says a bigger concern of hers is organized crime groups making counterfeit opioids.
“The problem is we have no idea what’s in the counterfeit pill, and it could be deadly,” she said.
Eby was asked if his government would consider ending the three-year pilot early, but he didn’t directly answer the question.
Saying they would continue to work on solutions to concerns like open drug use in hospital as well as inappropriate public spaces.
“We need to have a tool for police to be able to ensure public safety,” he said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
A passing comet could shine as bright as Venus. Here are the best viewing times
This eye-catching celestial event is around the corner and will appear in the skies this fall.
Mortgage loan rules are changing in Canada
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland has announced changes to mortgage rules she says are aimed at helping more Canadians to purchase their first home.
Body recovered from B.C. lake after unclothed man leads investigators to crash site
Mounties are investigating a fatal crash north of Whistler, B.C., after an unclothed man who was found along the side of the road led police to a pickup truck submerged in a lake with one occupant still inside.
Man suspected in apparent assassination attempt on Trump charged with federal gun crimes
Ryan Wesley Routh portrayed himself online as a man who built housing for homeless people in Hawaii, tried to recruit fighters for Ukraine to defend itself against Russia, and described his support and then disdain for Donald Trump -- even urging Iran to kill him.
Jane's Addiction cancels tour in the wake of an onstage fight
The alternative rock band Jane's Addiction has scuttled its latest tour following an onstage scuffle between lead singer Perry Farrell and guitarist Dave Navarro.
'Never seen anything like this': Humpback whale catches unsuspecting seal off Vancouver Island
A Vancouver Island nature photographer says he has never seen anything like what his camera captured on a recent whale-watching excursion off Victoria.
Former military leader Haydn Edmundson found not guilty of sexual assault
Former vice-admiral Haydn Edmundson has been found not guilty of sexual assault and committing an indecent act, concluding a trial that began in February.
Fall back: When does the time change?
The signs of the upcoming autumn season are here as Canadians are starting to notice the skies getting darker earlier, and brightening later.
'Oh, he's still alive': Sask. pharmacy student caught snooping on medical records of 114 people
A fourth-year pharmacy student doing an internship at a Regina drug store was caught snooping on the medical records of 114 people who were not in their care.