Is B.C.'s safer supply program helping those who need it most?

Clients of and advocates for B.C.'s safer-supply program are speaking out after calls to bring it to an end. Federal Conservative Leader Pierre Polievre recently introduced a motion in the House of Commons calling on the Liberals to fund drug treatment instead. As Angela Sterritt reports, the motion was voted down, but it has sparked debate about whether safer supply helps those who need it most.

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[CommonWealthRiches]

The biggest problem right now is how the city is going to deal with the homeless people. Many of the homeless need to be in a mental health institution but the human rights people say it’s inhumane to keep them locked up. Most of the crimes in BC are committed by the same 200 people and it’s nothing but catch and release. For example, 40 people in Vancouver are responsible for over 6, 300 incidents. Most of those people have extreme mental-health, substance-use, and housing challenges.

In one case, a repeat offender attacked a mother and her 11-month-old child in Surrey on Dec. 15. The man, who pleaded guilty to two counts of assault, has a criminal record including 23 assault-related convictions, 14 convictions for breaching probation and 17 for uttering threats. He was under three different probation orders at the time of the offence.

[nemoa]

for real why don't we offer merciful death instead of this.

[TheWolfsnack]

I recall reading a paper submitted back oin the 80's by the old CLEU the Coordinated Law Enforcement Unit, which was RCMP and Lower Mainland police members....that paper is available in the Justice Institute of BC they recommended was decriminlization, and moving from street level enforcement to dealing with the supply chain, and putting those enforcement dollars into treatment and education.

[Blackpillcoper]

these people are essentially children in adult bodies, who have never grew up. and why would you ever listen to children.

[fancylad]

These drugs need to be taken off of the street and addicts need to be offered treatment to actually get off of these dangerous drugs. Safe supply and decriminalization is only making it easier for people to obtain drugs and do them openly.

[aztharz]

Cities are gross, so glad I live away from the disfunction

[earlenemason]

I wish this was in Baltimore MD besides stupid recovery programs

[da-monkey]

Liberal strategy. Give them drugs so they vote liberal. Conservative strategy is help people get the addiction treatment they need instead of giving them drugs

[jabikuriee]

Safer (medication) drugs come from doctors and clinicals! Treatment is necessary with a creative approach from all social services! Its been a collective loss admit it already!!!

[bauer]

This guys can house at the drug addicts... You talk a big game with safe supply.... You are apart of the problem with addiction and homelessness

[carrieselland]

Downtown Vancouver is a drug riddled mess. Stop supplying

[charlesward]

If we could only lace the supply being given away with fentanyl (say 5mg), the problem will go away quicky!

[jabikuriee]

Why isn't Toronto included in news reports!

[Thisisbailie]

How about offering housing and an inspiring community instead of a fithy street

[Berdihan_outdoors]

If they are dying, how about not using that shite. Seems like simple solution to me

[jonathanchow-zkjy]

These people need help. not safer supply. invest in helping them get off drugs.

[mohnjarx]

There's should be a stigma with being a homeless junkie bum

[rebeccamcguire]

Honestly this isn’t helping much it isn’t helping in Ontario why would it work for bc I asked for treatment for my issues and the nurse wouldn’t listen. To me and put me in a. Detox and rehab they wouldn’t even work on my treatment with me I shake my head I’m clean now but I had no support or help how about having the acible option for treatments 😅 this is embarrassing at best