Articles of Lance P

An image of an overdose victim lying on the ground next to a syringe
Addiction

October Marks First Drop in Overdose Deaths in BC Since 2020

For the first time since 2020, British Columbia has recorded a notable decline in overdose deaths, with 155 fatalities in October 2024—a 9% decrease ...
Picture of a busy Vancouver Downtown Eastside street next to safe drug use site
Addiction

New Study Challenges the Effectiveness of Harm Reduction in British Columbia

Nearly a quarter of participants in BC’s safer supply program are diverting prescribed opioids, according to a recent Vancouver-based study. The findings also reveal ...
Policy

Canada’s Top Court Clears Path for Opioid Class Action Against Big Pharma

In a historic ruling, Canada’s Supreme Court has upheld the constitutionality of British Columbia’s Opioid Damages and Health Care Costs Recovery Act. This decision ...
Image of a mobile clinic medical assistant helping a client
Community

Mobile Health Program Delivers Elder-Led Care in Downtown Eastside

In the heart of Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, transformation takes the form of a vibrant mobile clinic—a beacon of care, connection, and cultural healing. It’s ...
A picture of an elderly man working in the shop
Community

Why More Vancouver Seniors Are Working Past Retirement

Retirement in Canada is no longer the predictable milestone it once was. What was traditionally a time to step away from the workforce and ...
Image of an artistic render of the upcoming First United redevelopment in Downtown Eastside Vancouver
Housing

First United Redevelopment Brings Housing and Hope to Downtown Eastside

The transformative First United redevelopment project at 320 East Hastings Street is nearing completion, promising to address urgent housing needs and offer revitalized community ...
Image of a volunteer serving meals to people in need at Downtown Eastside Vancouver
Community

Community-Driven Solutions for Emergency Preparedness in DTES

In Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, even minor emergencies can escalate into crises. Residents of the DTES face unique challenges in accessing essential resources, and recent ...
Picture of a bottle of prescription medication Methadone laying on a sidewalk
Addiction

Fentanyl Crisis Sparks Battle Over Opioid Treatment in BC

As the opioid crisis deepens across British Columbia, the province has made strides in expanding access to treatments like methadone and buprenorphine/naloxone for those ...
Photo of a man using the City of Vancouver's misting station installed in the Downtown Eastside are during the heat wave
Community

The Struggle for Air Conditioning in Vancouver’s SROs

With rising global temperatures, the urgency of providing air conditioning for low-income and vulnerable residents has become a pressing issue, particularly in Vancouver’s Downtown ...
The image captures the future site of the New Community Policing Centre for Gastown and Hastings Crossing located at West Hastings and Abbott Streets
Order

Vancouver Approves New Community Policing Centre for Gastown and Hastings Crossing

In a move aimed at tackling rising crime and street disorder, Vancouver City Council has approved the establishment of a new Community Policing Centre ...
Pictured are numerous drug users on the sidewalks of East Hastings Street Vancouver, British Columbia
Addiction

Canada’s Fight Against Opioid Overdose Sees Hope in 2024 Decline

Despite a slight decline in unregulated drug deaths in 2024, the opioid crisis continues to take a devastating toll on communities across British Columbia ...
Pictured is pulse oximetry device measuring pulse and other vital metrics
Addiction

Pulse Oximetry as a Potential Tool to Reduce Overdose Deaths in British Columbia

Continuous pulse oximetry, a technology traditionally used in acute care settings, is showing potential as an innovative method to decrease overdose fatalities amid British ...
The image captures Foundry Youth Centre, offering free and confidential counselling, primary care, sexual health and addiction services to young people aged 12-24 and their families.
Healthcare

BC’s Ongoing Struggle and Efforts to Combat the Toxic Drug Crisis

British Columbia continues to enhance its response to the toxic drug crisis, with Budget 2024 building on a historic $1 billion investment in mental ...
Boy standing on the beach next to the ocean, proudly waving the Canadian flag and smiling
Community

Most Canadians Reject the “Settler” Label—And It’s Sparking a National Identity Debate

In a country known for its diversity and progressive ideals, the label “settler” is stirring up a heated debate. A new poll reveals that ...
A person in distress battling addiction at the back alley of East Hastings Street in Downtown Eastside Vancouver
Policy

Involuntary Care Sparks Controversy in Pre-Election Push

British Columbia is grappling with a toxic drug crisis that has claimed over 15,000 lives since 2016, sparking fierce political debate as the province ...
Vancouver Police Department Special Constables captured on the streets of Downtown Eastside Vancouver.
Order

629 Calls to Police and a Community in Crisis

The Downtown Eastside (DTES) of Vancouver has long been a focal point for discussions around homelessness, addiction, and public safety. Now, a recent report ...
Captured content of Naloxone kit to be carried by all officers of the Vancouver Policy Department
Addiction

VPD Officers to Carry Naloxone Amid Overdose Complaints: A Response to Vancouver’s Opioid Crisis

As Vancouver continues to grapple with the devastating effects of the opioid epidemic, a recent policy change is aiming to equip Vancouver Police Department ...