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.

Health Notes

Health Initiative for Men offers queer male support group for ending crystal meth use

In LGBT communities, crystal meth has often been the drug of choice for party 'n' play, or PnP, pursuits.

Straight Talk

Revised data reveals March 2018 was the single worst month of B.C.'s five-year fentanyl crisis

It means the peak of B.C.'s overdose epidemic is not two years in the past, as previously thought, but in fact occurred just a few months ago.

Straight Talk

Insite co-founder takes fight for royal commission on overdose deaths to Canada's governor general

One Vancouver man continues with a lone mission to see the Canadian government investigate the root causes of the country's overdose epidemic.

Health Features

Clean Sober and Proud started in Metro Vancouver, but it's setting an example across North America

Last Door Recovery Society alumni decided to reclaim Pride 10 years ago for those who had sworn off drugs and alcohol—and they've never looked back.

Straight Talk

Drug-policy activist Dana Larsen's six-point plan to address B.C.'s opioid epidemic

Dana Larsen's attention was caught by what the Vancouver Sun described as B.C. mental health and addictions minister Judy Darcy's "six-point plan" for the opioid epidemic.

News Features

Assisted-injection trial means Vancouver's most-marginalized drug users could soon access Insite

Federal drug laws have prevented Insite from providing supervision to people who require assistance injecting drugs. Now, 15 years after the facility opened, a Health Canada program could finally change that.

Commentary

Doug Ford and Toronto Sun doctor need an education in harm reduction and injection sites

An op-ed published in the right-wing newspaper presents a total misunderstanding of harm-reduction programs like Vancouver's Insite facility.

Straight Talk

Coquitlam RCMP arrest two Burnaby men after locating suspected synthetic opioid lab

Police used search warrants at two Burnaby locations and a location in Port Coquitlam.

Straight Talk

Two Metro Vancouver men sentenced after large-scale fentanyl lab bust

Two Lower Mainland men have been charged in a case involving one of the largest fentanyl-conversion labs in Canada.

Straight Talk

Ottawa leaves door open for creation of a royal commission to investigate Canada's drug-overdose crisis

The second half of former Conservative prime minister Stephen Harper's time in power saw a steady rise in overdose deaths occur in British Columbia.

Straight Talk

Toronto joins Vancouver in recommending Canada decriminalize all drugs

In March 2018, the city of Vancouver recommended Canada decriminalize drugs to reduce overdose deaths. Now a top health official for the country's largest city is making the same argument.

Arts Notes

Downtown Eastside's Illicit theatre group goes on the road with gritty reality of the fentanyl crisis

Having just completed a trio of shows at the Orpheum Annex, the Downtown Eastside theatre group Illicit is preparing to travel beyond Vancouver.