Some say giving clean, free heroin to addicts could stem the illegal use of opioids and deaths from overdose, but one researcher says this could increase opioid addiction. With quotes from Dr. Patricia Daly, VCH’s chief medical officer.

Writer is asking for help for people with mental illnesses in the community who cannot find adequate, affordable housing or, in many cases, any housing at all.

Ottawa will consider adopting national guidelines for prescription heroin and other unconventional therapies to treat severe opioid addiction. Evan Wood, medical director for addictions services at VCH is leading the development of B.C.’s guidelines.

Top health officials in B.C., including Dr. Patricia Daly, chief medical officer with VCH, are pitching a province wide plan to give clean medical heroin or synthetic morphine to addicts.

Kristi Lange, OR nurse at LGH, planned a mission to Haiti and ended up bringing a mini-hospital of sorts — a team of 28 medical professionals, including surgery, emergency, intensive care, radiology and pediatrics.

‘We need to consider decriminalizing or even legalizing all illicit drugs,’ says Dr. Patricia Daly, VCH’s chief medical health officer.

The city of Vancouver has released a report that outlines current and projected costs of battling the fentanyl crisis.

The number of illicit drug deaths in B.C. continues to increase. December saw 142 overdose deaths – the highest ever recorded in a single month in BC.

The Mobile Medical Unit saw 613 patients in its first month of operation, but fewer than half of those visits were for overdoses.

The BC Coroner’s Service revealed yesterday that 914 people died of drug overdoses in B.C., 215 in Vancouver.