'Secret report' or standard research? B.C. government addresses safe supply allegations
B.C.’s premier and one of his top lieutenants are pushing back against allegations by the Official Opposition that he covertly commissioned a report into the diversion of safe supply drugs onto the streets.
On Monday, BC United MLAs accused David Eby of having a “secret report” on his desk from an American professor who researches and analyzes public health and drug policy. Elenore Sturko went so far as to claim it outlined “how organized crime is taking advantage of the premier’s safe supply program.”
The allegations during question period were rebuffed by Mental Health and Addictions Minister Jennifer Whiteside, who said she wasn’t “familiar with the report.” And on Tuesday, Eby said Sturko’s questions were the first he’d heard of it either, because his office had nothing to do with it.
“This is a paper that was commissioned by Dr. (Bonnie) Henry in her role as the independent public health officer and decisions about how and when she releases that information that she’s been collecting are entirely up to Dr. Henry,” Eby told reporters when questioned about the document, acknowledging mild frustration his administration was unaware of the document.
Health Minister Adrian Dix later explained that there had been a public request for proposal for analysis of the impact of pharmaceutical drugs prescribed to authorized drug users that have ended up on the illicit street market, a frequent recent talking point by opposition politicians, for which Jonathan Caulkins had been paid $11,500.
“(The report) is around the impact of a safer supply on drugs, on markets, on illicit drug markets, those are the kinds of issues,” Dix said. “Dr. Henry is looking at the issue of prescribed safe supply and what impact it has on people and the community…. she seeks lots of different perspectives, as you’d expect, and she did in this case and it seems pretty reasonable to me.”
In February, Henry presented a report urging the expansion of safer supply to curb toxic drug deaths. This second report, on the diversion of those drugs to the streets, is expected in May or June, according to Dix.
Caulkins is a researcher and professor at Heinz College at Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburg, and has described the destigmatization of drugs use as a “mistake.”
British Columbia’s New Democrat government has been championing a destigmatization path for several years, including a pilot project decriminalizing the possession of hard drugs for personal use, and Eby was defensive when asked if he felt any urgency to provide government findings and research on the toxic drug crisis to the public.
“I feel huge urgency around the issue, I couldn’t feel more urgent about this issue,” he replied. “We’ve got thousands of people dying, we’ve got serious issues of disorder in a number of communities that need to be addressed.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
The Slovak prime minister is stable after 'miracles' in the hospital as suspect appears in court
Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico's condition was stable but serious Saturday as the man accused of trying to assassinate him faced his first court appearance.
Banking mogul suing government after intelligence leaks leave him shut out of Canadian economy
Chinese Canadian banking mogul Shenglin Xian has launched a $300 million lawsuit against the federal government. It’s a means to find the source of intelligence leaks which Xian says has cost him his livelihood.
Woman with liver failure rejected for a transplant after medical review highlights alcohol use
For nearly three months, Amanda Huska has been in an Ontario hospital, part of it on life support, because of severe liver failure. Her history of alcohol use is getting in the way of her only potential treatment: a liver transplant.
Box tree moths have infested Ontario and experts say more are coming. Here's what to do to protect your garden
An invasive moth species is on the rise in Canada and, if you've planted a certain shrub, it could stand to ruin your garden.
Serial sexual offender linked to unsolved 1970s homicides of four Calgary girls, women
An investigation into unsolved historical homicides from the 1970s has linked the deaths of two girls and two young women in and around Calgary to a now-deceased serial offender.
Flash floods due to unusually heavy seasonal rains kill at least 68 people in Afghanistan
Flash floods from heavy seasonal rains have killed at least 68 people in Afghanistan, Taliban officials said Saturday, adding the death toll was based on preliminary reports.
B.C. man 'attacked suddenly' by adult grizzly near Alberta boundary: RCMP
A B.C. man is recovering from multiple injuries after he was "attacked suddenly" by an adult grizzly bear near Elkford Thursday afternoon.
Oilers focus on Saturday's game, try to ignore prospect of elimination from playoffs
They're on the verge of being eliminated, but there's only one thing the Edmonton Oilers can do, says their coach: Remain focused.
N.B. man takes talent to the air, hoping others catch his love for extreme pogo stick performing
Duncan Murray is one of only a handful of Canadians to be considered a professional extreme pogo athlete.