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Absolutely huge news today. We'll wait to see the logistics of everything, but this is a gigantic first-step and could be seen as a landmark policy decision in future years when we look back on the overdose epidemic.

https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2021...asFIgEBI8B1OGs

To help save lives by separating more people from the poisoned illicit drug supply, British Columbia is phasing in a new policy to expand access to prescribed safer supply.

B.C. is the first province in Canada to introduce this public-health measure.

As part of Budget 2021, the Province is directing funding up to $22.6 million to the health authorities over the next three years to lay the foundation for this innovative new approach. The funding will support the planning, phased implementation, monitoring and evaluation of prescribed safer supply services.

“For people who use drugs or who care about someone who does, the risk of death is omnipresent because of the increasingly toxic illicit drug supply,” said Sheila Malcolmson, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions. “At the start of the pandemic, B.C. provided access to some prescribed safer supply medications to save lives from overdose and protect people from COVID-19. Building on what we’ve learned, we’re expanding access to prescribed safer supply to reach more people and save more lives. This is one tool within a comprehensive response to the overdose crisis as we continue to also build up a treatment system so everyone can get the care they need. There is more to do, and we won’t stop working until we turn this crisis around.”

Carefully introducing prescribed safer supply is part of B.C.’s ongoing work to improve services for people with substance use challenges and to end the criminalization of people who use drugs, to reduce stigma and enhance support. Prescribed safer supply is about meeting people where they are at, connecting people to health-care services and reducing harms associated with using illicit drugs.

Once fully implemented, people who use drugs and who are at high risk of dying from the toxic illicit drug supply will be able to access alternatives covered by Pharmacare, including a range of opioids and stimulants as determined by programs and prescribers.

“With more than 7,000 lives lost to toxic illicit drugs, we need new measures to connect people to the supports they need to stay safe,” said Dr. Bonnie Henry, provincial health officer. “Reducing harm for people who use drugs is the right thing to do. Bringing in this new policy to expand prescribed safer supply is a big change for B.C.’s health-care system. It’s about meeting people where they are at, reducing risk of toxic drug death and connecting people to the care they need and deserve.”