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.

Straight Talk

Downtown Eastside pharmacy tackles patients' addictions with a return to Mother Nature

Pier Health Resource Centre patients and staff are making outdoor excursions to Metro Vancouver mountains with an eye on mental health.

Health Notes

Recovery Day B.C. registers a roaring success in New Westminster

Huge crowds showed up for a free afternoon concert by Matthew Good.

Fringe Festival

Vancouver Fringe Festival review: FIX

A trip through an alley, with personal stories about drugs, food, and smoking.

Health Notes

New Westminster's Uptown neighbourhood hosts this year’s Recovery Day

Earlier this year, the cofounder of Last Door Recovery Society, Louise Cooksey, told the Straight that the Royal City is an ideal location because the city has been extremely supportive of the recovery movement.

Straight Talk

Downtown Eastside plans music, vigil, and a call to action for International Overdose Awareness Day 2018

"Let our sorrows increase our joy for seeing one another alive," reads a message on the 5 p.m. event's Facebook page.

Straight Talk

After fatal overdose in East Vancouver, Vancouver police investigating potential drug lab

A fatal overdose in East Vancouver has led to an investigation into the location of a potential drug lab.

Straight Talk

International Overdose Awareness Day 2018 will see Vancouver call for steps beyond harm reduction

The event scheduled for August 31 is one of a series around the world in response to an epidemic of drug-overdose deaths that is increasingly global.

Straight Talk

Ottawa urges students using drugs to take precautions with frosh-week warning of fentanyl deaths

Ahead of frosh week, and in the wake of nearly 4,000 fatal opioid-overdoses last year, Ottawa has issued a plea for students to exercise caution.

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.