Richmond, BC, council approved an overdose prevention site despite lacking provincial government standards, amid 26 drug-related deaths in 2023.
A city in B.C. gets an overdose prevention site through council inquiry, but the process lacks standard assessments from the provincial government, as found by the Auditor General. Richmond experienced 26 drug-related deaths in 2023, with councillors citing a lack of thresholds, criteria, and established guidelines for setting up overdose prevention sites. Health authorities were also found to lack guidance and minimum service standards from the Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions in operating these sites.
March 23, 2024
9 Articles