BC to become first province with prescribed safe supply

[rubecube]

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.”

[Mull]

In Canada, is it a criminal offense to use any drug? Not to sell, but is possession (with no intent to sell) a criminal offense?

[GGG]

How do you price the drugs so that you don’t encourage increased use? Also how potent to you make the drug to make it good enough to satisfy the addiction yet not increase dependency.

Does a person choose their opiate of choice like I want clean dose measured fentanyl or does the government steer to less addictive opiates?

I’m fascinated about the logistics of this because you need to deliver the same relief as the street drug and the same or lower cost or the market will continue to exist but at the same time still want to encourage use.

[PaperBagger'14]

Originally Posted by GGG

How do you price the drugs so that you don’t encourage increased use? Also how potent to you make the drug to make it good enough to satisfy the addiction yet not increase dependency.

Does a person choose their opiate of choice like I want clean dose measured fentanyl or does the government steer to less addictive opiates?

I’m fascinated about the logistics of this because you need to deliver the same relief as the street drug and the same or lower cost or the market will continue to exist but at the same time still want to encourage use.

Weed has struggled to find the right price point and still isn't even close when talking about edibles.

A pack of gummies with 10mg of THC at a dispensary costs around $15. 10mg would get most people high 1-2 times.

Online you can order a 10 pack of 20mg gummies per piece (which can easily be cut into halves or quarters) from a Canadian company with a 5 ish day delivery time for about $20.

I think this is an interesting idea BC is trying, I don't think any government is capable of running the drug trade efficiently enough to make it the preferred method. I also doubt this will be much of an issue as my gut tells me the taxpayers will be footing the entire cost, from the creation, distribution and facilitation of the drugs.

[edslunch]

Originally Posted by GGG

How do you price the drugs so that you don’t encourage increased use? Also how potent to you make the drug to make it good enough to satisfy the addiction yet not increase dependency.

Does a person choose their opiate of choice like I want clean dose measured fentanyl or does the government steer to less addictive opiates?

I’m fascinated about the logistics of this because you need to deliver the same relief as the street drug and the same or lower cost or the market will continue to exist but at the same time still want to encourage use.

Maybe they would prescription or referral only. Pharmacare was mentioned so maybe they are covered or highly subsidized. The big draw for people managing their addictions would be having a safe supply even if more expensive or less potent (both within reason). I imagine this is less likely to appeal to a desperate junkie?

[flames_fan_down_under]

I am a firefighter in Vancouver and am face to face with the opioid epidemic at a level not many people can understand. It's hard to put into words how defeating this problem is, how all encompassing it can be sometimes, and how the ripple effect of this problem means high burnout rates with our partner agencies like paramedics and other first responders and less adequate resources and care for other people calling 911 who aren't overdosing. I am hopeful that this can do some help, but harm reduction measures like this and safe injection sites are just a bandaid masking so many other humongous problems that need to be tackled upstream, serious investments in mental health support, better treatment and support of those with chronic health issues that doesn't involve prescribing opioids, more supportive housing the list goes on and on. I am sure that this program aims to direct those on the safe supply to these supports. I guess when when you revive the same person who has overdosed three times in one day it's hard to get optimistic about these sorts of things.

[blankall]

Originally Posted by GGG

How do you price the drugs so that you don’t encourage increased use? Also how potent to you make the drug to make it good enough to satisfy the addiction yet not increase dependency.

Does a person choose their opiate of choice like I want clean dose measured fentanyl or does the government steer to less addictive opiates?

I’m fascinated about the logistics of this because you need to deliver the same relief as the street drug and the same or lower cost or the market will continue to exist but at the same time still want to encourage use.

The logistics of this are very difficult to manage.

I see a major issue being that many users may just use the publicly supplied drugs to supplement their street supply. If the public system only gives them X amount, they'll just acquire the rest from somewhere else. Having access to extra supply from the public sector could be what does them in to.

That being said the overdose death numbers for 2020 were horrific and 2021 is looking to smash those. The opioid epidemic needs to be treated like a health emergency. I could see this program helping some people, at the very least, which is something.

I see some of the effects of the epidemic in the courthouse, as I occasionally represent people with substance abuse issues, and several of my clients have passed away. I can't imaging what first responders, like Flames_fan_down_under must deal with. You people are absolute saints.

[Yoho]

Originally Posted by flames_fan_down_under

I am a firefighter in Vancouver and am face to face with the opioid epidemic at a level not many people can understand. It's hard to put into words how defeating this problem is, how all encompassing it can be sometimes, and how the ripple effect of this problem means high burnout rates with our partner agencies like paramedics and other first responders and less adequate resources and care for other people calling 911 who aren't overdosing. I am hopeful that this can do some help, but harm reduction measures like this and safe injection sites are just a bandaid masking so many other humongous problems that need to be tackled upstream, serious investments in mental health support, better treatment and support of those with chronic health issues that doesn't involve prescribing opioids, more supportive housing the list goes on and on. I am sure that this program aims to direct those on the safe supply to these supports. I guess when when you revive the same person who has overdosed three times in one day it's hard to get optimistic about these sorts of things.

Poor thing.
If the jobs too tough for you quit.

[flames_fan_down_under]

Originally Posted by Yoho

Poor thing.
If the jobs too tough for you quit.

Ummmm....find me the part where did I say it was too hard?

What a terrible response by you.

[cKy]

Originally Posted by Yoho

Poor thing.
If the jobs too tough for you quit.

Sheesh, could you be anymore of a dick?

[bizaro86]

Originally Posted by Yoho

Poor thing.
If the jobs too tough for you quit.

Wow

[Swift]

Originally Posted by Yoho

Poor thing.
If the jobs too tough for you quit.

What the #### kind of response is that?

[blankall]

Originally Posted by cKy

Sheesh, could you be anymore of a dick?

His comment was so offside I thought it was a joke between friends, as I can't comprehend what would make someone say that. Dafuq.

[jayswin]

What in the actual **** was that?

[SebC]

Don't let it derail the thread, folks.

[PepsiFree]

Originally Posted by SebC

Don't let it derail the thread, folks.

The thread will right itself. Let people gawk at the turd for an hour.

[AltaGuy]

I don't even know what to think of that. Hrm

[81MC]

Originally Posted by Yoho

Poor thing.
If the jobs too tough for you quit.

This is the worst post I think I’ve ever seen here.

Flames_fan, thanks for your service.

[guzzy]

Originally Posted by PaperBagger'14

Weed has struggled to find the right price point and still isn't even close when talking about edibles.

A pack of gummies with 10mg of THC at a dispensary costs around $15. 10mg would get most people high 1-2 times.

Online you can order a 10 pack of 20mg gummies per piece (which can easily be cut into halves or quarters) from a Canadian company with a 5 ish day delivery time for about $20.

I think this is an interesting idea BC is trying, I don't think any government is capable of running the drug trade efficiently enough to make it the preferred method. I also doubt this will be much of an issue as my gut tells me the taxpayers will be footing the entire cost, from the creation, distribution and facilitation of the drugs.

what dispensary are you buying edibles from? The chocolates are usually around $4 and the gummies are $7-10. I have never seen a $15 edible.

I do agree price is a bit steep but it cuts down on my drinking.

[Northendzone]

becasue the governments foray into pot has gone so well.....well i guess we will see where this goes. as a working taxpayer i hate the idea of funding this stuff, but i get there is a cost to not doing it as well.

all i can say is that between cries for UBI, $10/day daycare, government funded prescription durgs, dental care psot-secondary education etc how far are we away from marginal income tax rates of 80% or more given how far teh government is currently in the glue.