Minister fields questions on detox and safe supply, during Vernon visit
Global News
While announcing new services, Minister Sheila Malcolmson faced questions about services Vernon and the Okanagan are still missing to address the drug poisoning crisis.
B.C.’s Minister of Mental Health and Addictions was in Vernon, B.C. on Monday to announce new services for youth, expansions of existing services, and additional staff.
The announcement comes after a particularly brutal year for illicit drug deaths in the Okanagan.
In 2021, 73 people died in Kelowna alone. The last time that many people succumbed to drug poisoning in the city was 2017.
In Vernon, last year, 42 people perished. That’s the most illicit drug deaths the North Okanagan community since the overdose crisis began.
While announcing new services, Minister Sheila Malcolmson also faced questions about services Vernon and the Okanagan are still missing to address the drug poisoning crisis.
The area doesn’t yet have the same level of access to prescribed safer supply as on the coast.
“Prescribed safe supply is available in the Okanagan through the health authorities…but, it is a very fair comment, it is more available in the federally funded SAFER clinics that were established in Victoria and Vancouver, said Malcolmson.
Malcolmson said the province is investing in expanding safe supply but it will take time.
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