I’ve been reviewing the @bccoroners most recent report on unregulated drug poisoning deaths.

When I filtered expedited toxicology to only include 2024 results, I was shocked.

This is a mass poisoning situation. A crisis that can only be solved with legal regulation.

#bcpoli This is not an opioid crisis or a fentanyl emergency—this most recent update shows four different benzodiazepine analogues being regularly detected in toxicology. Bromazolam alone is being found in 39% of unregulated drug deaths.

A desperate campaign promise from a leader feeling the ground shrink beneath his feet.

A promise lacking proof. A callous approach touted as dignified.

Involuntary care won’t keep us safe. This new idea is an old failed idea.

🧵

#bcpoli #cdnpoli

cbc.ca/news/canada/br… We’re going to cover a lot of ground in this 🧵 about involuntary care.

First, let’s acknowledge that today’s announcement was the opposite of novel or innovative.

Involuntary care has been implemented in many iterations and has shown to do more harm than good.

https://twitter.com/ryanmarino/status/1706681804831195572

Driving home from #IOAD2024 event in #PortAlberni today and noticed someone slumped against a building with another person standing over them looking anxious.

I decided to pull over and check things out.

🧵

#bcpoli When I arrived on scene I saw the person on the ground was motionless and the other person was calling 911.

I introduced myself and let her know I was a nurse, asked her if I could take over.

“Yes” she said nervously.

Have you read this review of #SafeSupply from PHO Dr Bonnie Henry yet?

Here’s a 🧵 of my key takeaways.

#Bcpoli Yes, the biggest takeaway is that prescribed safer supply is here to stay. Or at least that it should be.

And we are not going to call it that anymore. Dr. Henry has recommended the term now is “prescribed alternatives”

https://twitter.com/soniafurstenau/status/1753177231025959323

📣NEW📣

Very important evaluation for #SafeSupply in BC

Effect of Risk Mitigation Guidance opioid and stimulant dispensation on mortality and acute care visits during dual public health emergencies: retrospective cohort study



#bcpolibmj.com/content/384/bm… “This study found that RMG opioid dispensations were associated with a reduced likelihood of all cause and overdose related mortality among people with a diagnosis of opioid use disorder.”

This is a massive study of almost 12,000 people.

Did you know?

1️⃣BC’s #SafeSupply is accessible to around 4,535 people

2️⃣BC has around 101,000 people who would qualify for an ‘opioid use disorder’ diagnosis

3️⃣That’s an accessibility rate of <5%

4️⃣It’s year 7 of this public health emergency

Source: news.gov.bc.ca/factsheets/esc… That 101,000 doesn’t even include people who use episodically, recreationally, or first time users

Which makes that <5% estimate GENEROUS, at best

Meanwhile, the carnage worsens and the drug supply volatility kills our loved ones

#SafeSupply now

#bcpoli

https://twitter.com/Interior_Health/status/1646642515037003776

Alright, as promised, I will now begin the penultimate #HR23 thread.

Be prepared for many typos. First, last night’s opening ceremonies was fantastic. In particular the opening land acknowledgement was a perfect way to get us started.

Watch this video from @Talkingdrugs to see for yourself (my phone was dead at the time 😩)

https://twitter.com/talkingdrugs/status/1647489156912934913

The #AlbertaModel at work. 🧵

“A Medicine Hat-based recovery organization, which has to date received six-figures in government funding, has endorsed an anti-supervised consumption site ad campaign in the U.S.”

First, a must read from @JeremyAppel1025

open.substack.com/pub/theorchard… This attack on supervised consumption services is not a one-off. It’s a pattern of misinformation.

From @ehyshka:

“It is unfortunate to see an Alberta-based organization lobbying the United States government against supporting this intervention,”

#ableg

11,000+ British Columbians

On April 14, 2016 BC declared a public health emergency in response drug poisoning deaths.

Since that time, the unregulated drug supply has become more toxic and more unpredictable.

Since that time, at least 11,000 people in BC have died.

#bcpoli Our most recent @bccoroners data is from October 2022. There is no doubt that we will get year-end update in the coming weeks.

And with that update, we will get another round of staged placations.

More grim milestones announced.

More “we’re doing our best”.

Death by Toxic Drug Policy in BC

179 British Columbians were killed by political indifference in October 2022

That’s nearly 6 people per day dying preventable deaths due to government inaction and cowardice.

#SafeSupply remains inaccessible.

#bcpoli #cdnpoli Year after year in so-called #Canada, we see more of our loved ones, friends, neighbours, and community members killed by a failure to address the volatility of the unregulated drug supply.

New face, same murderous policy.

As @ABDanielleSmith shuffles the cabinet and dispenses her favours, let’s take a quick look at the storied history of being a #UCP “Minister of Mental Health and Addictions”.

@NACMilliken is your next prohibition peddler for #ABLeg.

#abpoli

https://twitter.com/ABDanielleSmith/status/1584599464253476865

First up is @jasonluan88.

Jason came out strong with his tin foil hat and big pharma conspiracies.

He immediately displayed his incompetence with this gem below.

Hear ye, hear ye!

Ye old #Alberta government has released its FLAWED, and GASLIT #SCS review report.

Associate Minister @jasonluan88 promised an unbiased perspective.

The only ones who look stupid here, are those of us who believed him.
#AbLeg

open.alberta.ca/publications/9… Before we dive into the report, let’s talk about the Associate Minister and his esteemed panel for a moment.

Not a single member who has worked at or accessed an SCS; surely criminologists and retired cops will present an unbiased approach. 😒

alberta.ca/supervised-con…