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

Libby Davies: Why mandatory treatment doesn't work for drug users

Sep 1

A former MP gives credit to Mayor Kennedy Stewart for leading the charge to force provincial and federal governments to act.

Straight Talk

IAFF Local 18 calls for investments from senior levels of government to enhance public safety in Vancouver

Aug 11

The union representing Vancouver firefighters says more services are needed to address overlapping mental-health and opioid crises.

Health Notes

B.C. government accepts $150-million settlement from Purdue Canada in connection with Canadian opioid carnage

Jun 29

Attorney General David Eby shepherded the Opioid Damages and Health Care Costs Recovery Act through the B.C. legislature in 2018.

Movie Reviews

DOXA Fest: Love in the Time of Fentanyl documents impressive heroism of Overdose Prevention Society

May 8

The film puts a human face on a horrific community tragedy while showcasing the resilience and sheer ingenuity of the marginalized.

News Features

In Light Up the Night, Travis Lupick tells drug users’ tales without any judgment

Jan 19

He was aware that police in the U.S. are more violent than their counterparts in Vancouver, but he didn’t realize how radically different the war on drugs is playing out in America.

Health Notes

B.C. sets record for suspected illicit-drug overdose deaths in October

Dec 9

The first 10 months of 2021 also broke the annual record, which was set in all of 2020.

Commentary

Jean Swanson: City council to vote on motion urging federal exemption so Vancouver can offer safe drugs, reduce deaths

Oct 5

A Vancouver city councillor is thinking of the six precious humans who died each and every day during the last month for which overdose deaths were tracked.

Books

Benjamin Perrin and Gabor Maté discuss Canada's opioid crisis on September 15

Sep 7

The free event starts at 7 pm Pacific time.

Commentary

Sarah Leamon: Election could jeopardize legislation to scrap mandatory minimum sentences for drug offences

Jun 6

Supporters of Bill C-22 say it would help address systemic overrepresentation of minorities in court.

Health Notes

B.C. Coroners Service stats show that province is on track for another record-breaking year of illicit-drug overdose deaths

Jun 2

The April 2021 death total was 43 percent higher than the number of similar deaths in April 2020.

Commentary

Drug decriminalization without youth is not decriminalization

May 15

Vancouver has finally set its sight on drug decriminalization, recently making public the details of the proposed "Vancouver Model".

Movie Reviews

DOXA 2021: Elle-Máijá Tailfeathers's new doc examines how to achieve a paradigm shift in drug treatment

May 5

Kímmapiiyipitssini: The Meaning Of Empathy was shot over five years.