Greater Victoria’s opioid crisis

People hold a banner during a Vancouver march on International Overdose Awareness Day in August. B.C. is urging the federal government to decriminalize possession of personal amounts of illicit drugs as a way to help save lives. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck)

Scope of B.C.’s opioid decriminalization proposal too narrow, says SOLID Outreach Victoria

Precedent-setting proposal would leave rural users in a pinch, advocate says

 

Fred Cameron stands among the harm reduction supplies that are handed out by SOLID Outreach to those living on Pandora Avenue. (Black Press Media file photo)

New drugs, COVID measures feeding record-breaking Victoria overdose pace: expert

Pandemic measures make it harder for some to access services

 

Discovery Coffee is one of five Greater Victoria businesses to join EACH+EVERY. (Tegwyn Hughes/News Staff)

‘Naloxone on site’: Victoria businesses doing their part for harm reduction

EACH+EVERY pledge sees overdose training for Greater Victoria workers

 

A temporary inhalation-focused overdose prevention site will open in November on an unoccupied city-owned lot at 926 Pandora Ave. (Black Press Media file photo)

Temporary inhalation-focused consumption site coming to downtown Victoria

Service will open sometime in November across from The Harbour

A temporary inhalation-focused overdose prevention site will open in November on an unoccupied city-owned lot at 926 Pandora Ave. (Black Press Media file photo)
A wall of 1,510 wooden roses was on display at the United Way Overdose Prevention Expo in the Bay Centre downtown Victoria on Wednesday. Each rose represents a life lost to overdose in British Columbia. Attendees were encouraged to take a rose to reveal the image of a survivor underneath. (Kendra Crighton/Victoria News Staff)

United Way Overdose Prevention Expo highlights need for change in dealing with opioid epidemic

‘We need to do more’

A wall of 1,510 wooden roses was on display at the United Way Overdose Prevention Expo in the Bay Centre downtown Victoria on Wednesday. Each rose represents a life lost to overdose in British Columbia. Attendees were encouraged to take a rose to reveal the image of a survivor underneath. (Kendra Crighton/Victoria News Staff)
United Way grants $8,000 to Umbrella Society for addictions support

United Way grants $8,000 to Umbrella Society for addictions support

Umbrella Society to offer another session of their Understanding Addiction workshops this fall

United Way grants $8,000 to Umbrella Society for addictions support
Leslie McBain lost her son, Jordan Miller, in 2014 from an overdose. Since then she has been a tireless advocate, hoping to prevent more overdose deaths. (Nina Grossman/News Staff)

Special Report: Mother fights to decriminalize illicit drugs

Vancouver Island woman started advocacy group after losing her son in 2014

Leslie McBain lost her son, Jordan Miller, in 2014 from an overdose. Since then she has been a tireless advocate, hoping to prevent more overdose deaths. (Nina Grossman/News Staff)
VicPD Const. Sue Hamilton talking with a client on Pandora Avenue. Hamilton says police officers joined the service to help people. (Photo courtesy of VicPD Const. Ross Smith)

Special Report: Thin blue line stretched with opioid crisis

Lack of funding, government rehab centres and increased drug potency leading to more deaths

VicPD Const. Sue Hamilton talking with a client on Pandora Avenue. Hamilton says police officers joined the service to help people. (Photo courtesy of VicPD Const. Ross Smith)
Dr. Jason Wale is working to address the opioid crisis in the emergency departments at Victoria General Hospital and Royal Jubilee Hospital. (Shalu Mehta/News Staff)

Special Report: Front line work by caring emergency doctors

Dr. Jason Wale uses unique program to help people with addictions in Greater Victoria

Dr. Jason Wale is working to address the opioid crisis in the emergency departments at Victoria General Hospital and Royal Jubilee Hospital. (Shalu Mehta/News Staff)
Terry Marion was the first patient to walk through the doors at Aids Vancouver Island on the West Shore. At the age of 65, he has been on methadone treatment since 2002 and says life is good. (Shalu Mehta/News Staff)

Special Report: Hidden demographic served by West Shore clinic

AIDS Vancouver Island’s West Shore clinic provides opioid agonist treatment to almost 200 people

Terry Marion was the first patient to walk through the doors at Aids Vancouver Island on the West Shore. At the age of 65, he has been on methadone treatment since 2002 and says life is good. (Shalu Mehta/News Staff)
Charlene Baron (centre) works as a peer volunteer in Rock Bay Landing’s overdose prevention unit. It’s part of her job to watch people using injections in case they have an overdose. (Nicole Crescenzi/News Staff)

Special Report: Living with addiction while saving others during the opioid crisis

Charlene Baron uses her experiences with opioid addiction to save other people’s lives

Charlene Baron (centre) works as a peer volunteer in Rock Bay Landing’s overdose prevention unit. It’s part of her job to watch people using injections in case they have an overdose. (Nicole Crescenzi/News Staff)
BC Emergency Health Services Brad Cameron oversees ambulance operations in Greater Victoria. (Photo courtesy of BC Emergency Health Services)

Special Report: Greater Victoria ambulance crews run off their feet with overdose calls

More resources, programs helping but not the end all solution

BC Emergency Health Services Brad Cameron oversees ambulance operations in Greater Victoria. (Photo courtesy of BC Emergency Health Services)
Pop-up banner image