Thread by @moirawyton

In a few minutes, the @bccoroners will report on the findings of its most recent death review panel on more than 6,000 toxic drug deaths in BC since 2017. It's a horrific magnitude of loss.

I will thread key findings here and have a story in @TheTyee later today #bcpoli

@bccoroners @TheTyee Breaking: The @bccoroners death review panel is calling to rapidly expand safe supply, evidence-based treatment and develop a 30/60/90-day action plan to stop toxic drug deaths #bcpoli @TheTyee

Key findings about deaths in BC, which echo conclusions of recent monthly reports:

@bccoroners @TheTyee The increasing toxicity of the criminalized supply is the key driver of deaths, itself driven by prohibition, the review panel confirms.

"A new approach is required, one that includes a specific focus on the toxic drug supply," it says, ie. the COVID-19 response #bcpoli

Major findings incl. further evidence Indigenous people are dying of toxic drugs at a higher rate than non-Indigenous ppl.

Also notes that while many of the deceased had contact with health care prior to their deaths, few interacted with substance use treatment services #bcpoli

On safe supply recommendation, panel calls for an action plan by May 9 (60 days) that includes medical and non-medical models to provide "a range of medication options that reflect the needs and substance use patterns of those at risk." #bcpoli

Panel is also calling on the federal government to approve BC's decriminalization application by April 11, about a year after BC announced it would apply. We haven't heard a timeline yet from the feds or province #bcpoli #canpoli

Regarding expanding evidence-based treatment in BC, the recommendations echo what the province has said it is doing or will do, underlining the urgency.

Gives the province deadlines from April 11 to September 9 to finalize plans for how it will achieve current goals #bcpoli

Other key trends: More people dying after using alone (61% compared to 52%), and more people dying via inhalation than injection (44% v. 23%). Report notes most overdose prevention sites don't have inhalation spaces #bcpoli

Addressing the supply is key to stopping deaths, the report reiterates.

Report is quite clear that the province's efforts to date have "not been sufficient to stop the rising death toll. Moreover, these initiatives do not address the underlying toxic drug supply." #bcpoli

Minister of Mental Health & Addictions @S_Malcolmson has issued a statement in response to the panel's findings, essentially saying the gov't is already doing what the panel recommends on safe supply & evidence-based treatment.

That's not the case, according to the panel #bcpoli

@s_malcolmson And here's a recent report from me on how experts say the province is twisting the meaning of "safe supply" and not actually doing what it said it would to stop deaths. Similar concerns are echoed in the report #bcpoli

thetyee.ca/News/2022/03/0…

Putting my head down to finish reading the full report before the media availability at 11. Will tweet key points from that in another thread #bcpoli