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BC Opioid Crisis News

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Opioid crisis: A heartbreak that happens every day

Opioid crisis: A heartbreak that happens every day

Sebastian Witt died of an overdose in May 2015. Not enough has changed since then, says his father
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Five crushing years after her daughter’s death, Squamish mom still fighting for secure care

Five crushing years after her daughter’s death, Squamish mom still fighting for secure care

Brenda Doherty’s 15-year-old daughter Steffanie Georgina-Anne Lawrence died from a fentanyl overdose in 2018; current government supports voluntary care instead.
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A rural island's access to health services in the opioid crisis

A rural island's access to health services in the opioid crisis

Though the geography comes with natural struggles, Bowen Island has been employing methods which have held the worst of the opioid crisis at bay
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Opinion: It feels like my son was murdered

Opinion: It feels like my son was murdered

The toxic drug crisis has claimed thousands of lives in B.C. including the son of Richmond News’ assistant editor Maria Rantanen.
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Those who overdosed on the North Shore are younger, and most likely to die in their own homes

Those who overdosed on the North Shore are younger, and most likely to die in their own homes

North and West Vancouver are not immune to opioid crisis, says medical health officer
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Opinion: Squamish harm reduction services are working

Opinion: Squamish harm reduction services are working

A group told me that they had experienced homelessness and struggled with substance abuse elsewhere, but the OPS and Under One Roof had since helped them tremendously.
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Richmond families fight stigma surrounding toxic drug overdose crisis

Richmond families fight stigma surrounding toxic drug overdose crisis

‘And with something like the opioid crisis… the cost of a single mistake is so high’: Louise Coatta
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Letters: Erase the stigma for the chance of a better understanding community, Squamish

Letters: Erase the stigma for the chance of a better understanding community, Squamish

Also, 'Not all who wander are lost'.
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The conversation Whistler’s not having

The conversation Whistler’s not having

As Whistler sets up its first-ever drug-checking site, local support workers want to open up the conversation around drug use and addiction
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Burnaby non-profits want less stigma, more resources to fight drug crisis

Burnaby non-profits want less stigma, more resources to fight drug crisis

With city suffering dozens of deaths every year from toxic drugs, coalition combats demonization of users, calls for easier access to detox
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