Here's a collection of our coverage of addiction-related issues, including Vancouver and B.C.'s opioid and overdose crisis, mental-health issues, various forms of addiction (including smoking, alcohol, sex, and gambling), harm reduction, treatment and therapies, and more.

For further coverage about mental-health issues, visit this webpage.

Commentary

Nurses at the frontline: increasing scope of practice to help end the opiate overdose crisis

Sep 25

For decades, outreach nurses in B.C. have been at the front line of providing health care to marginalized people, particularly those in the Vancouver Downtown Eastside.

Commentary

Christine Boyle: A “Safer” Vancouver requires compassion, not stigma

Sep 10

The only OneCity Vancouver member of city council says that she has seen a rise in poor-bashing rhetoric.

News

COVID-19: Adults with kids under 18 at home report using alcohol to cope with pandemic stress, new study finds

Sep 1

Drinking to cope was related to increased alcohol use after the onset of the pandemic.

Sports

Vancouver sportwriter Jason Botchford died of accidental overdose

Aug 29

His widow issued a statement saying the family was completely shocked to discover the cause.

Health Features

Adrian Dix comes under fire for offloading responsibility for overdose crisis to fellow cabinet minister Judy Darcy

Aug 28

The Canadian Association for Safe Supply claims that the health minister is "nowhere to be found".

Commentary

Sarah Leamon: Federal guidelines discourage prosecution of simple drug possession in nearly all circumstances

Aug 20

A Vancouver lawyer calls it a small but essential step toward decriminalizing people who are addicted.

Tech

Video games are fun...until they start intruding on students' academic success in college and university

Aug 19

Some can indulge in gaming for five hours a day and not show any effects, but one therapist and author says that they are few and far between.

Commentary

Record B.C. overdose deaths mean it's time to listen

Jul 17

Access to a safe supply of pharmaceutical alternatives to the toxic illegal-drug supply is essential to dropping the record monthly overdose-death numbers.

Health Notes

COVID-19 in B.C.: Over 20 new cases again, young adult infections in Canada, and overdose crisis

Jul 15

The number of new cases rebounded today above 20, where it had been for several consecutive days over the past week.

Commentary

Bill 22: Proposed involuntary treatment raises more questions than answers for youth who use drugs

Jul 3

Involuntary care in the absence of ready access to voluntary services raises more questions than answers.

Health Notes

As B.C. reports record number of overdose deaths, Dr. Bonnie Henry makes emotional plea for help

Jun 12

A second health emergency that has been taking place during the pandemic has been overshadowed.

Movie Reviews

Castle in the Ground crafts an intense, intimate portrait of addiction

May 19

The Other Half, writer-director Joey Klein delivers a very different study of codepency.