BC Budget Focuses on Increasing Treatment Options in Toxic Drug Crisis

The 2023 budget continues Premier David Eby’s treatment-oriented approach to the drug crisis but is quiet on expanding provisions like safe supply and more overdose prevention sites.

A released budget service plan from B.C.’s Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions does not list decreasing the number of people dying in its key performance measures, Moira Wyton reports.

The province plans to spend $586 million in the next three years to open 190 new and no-fee treatment and recovery beds in its disjointed system.

An additional $184 million will expand mental health and substance use early intervention for children and youth and $67.7 million will expand prescribed safer supply to people at risk of drug poisoning.

Moira Wyton is The Tyee’s health reporter. Follow her @moirawyton. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.

Link to the story, published on Feb 28th, 2023:

https://thetyee.ca/News/2023/02/28/BC-Budget-Increasing-Treatment-Options-Toxic-Drug-Crisis/

The province is projected to run a $4.2-billion deficit for the coming fiscal year.

By Andrew MacLeod who is The Tyee’s Legislative Bureau Chief in Victoria and the author of All Together Healthy (Douglas & McIntyre, 2018). Find him on Twitter or reach him at [email protected].

Link to the story, published on Feb 28th, 2023:

https://thetyee.ca/News/2023/02/28/BC-Budget-Promises/

The families of Chelsea Poorman, Noelle O’Soup and Tatyanna Harrison rallied at a Vancouver police station to call for change.

By Jen St. Denis who is a reporter with The Tyee covering civic issues. Find her on Twitter @JenStDen.

Link to the story, published Feb 28, 2023:

https://thetyee.ca/News/2023/02/28/Families-Charge-Police-Neglect-Over-Missing-Persons/

Guided by survivors’ memories, the Tseshaht First Nation is uncovering horrific truths about Alberni Indian Residential School.

By Jen St. Denis who is a reporter with The Tyee covering civic issues. Find her on Twitter @JenStDen.

Link to the story, published Feb 28th, 2023:

https://thetyee.ca/News/2023/02/28/Uncovering-Truths-Alberni-Indian-Residential-School/

No, says Dr. Steve. At least not yet.

By Steve Burgess who writes about politics and culture for The Tyee.

Link to the story, published on Feb 28th, 2023:

https://thetyee.ca/Opinion/2023/02/28/China-Choosing-Canada-MPs/

Expanding midwifery in B.C. could help improve pregnancy outcomes, particularly those in rural and remote areas, according to a new study from B.C.-based researchers.

But there aren’t enough midwives, and the ones we do have face extreme burnout.

Moira Wyton reports.

Published Monday, Feb. 27, 2023.

https://thetyee.ca/News/2023/02/27/Good-Record-For-Midwife-Delivered-Babies/

The Tyee’s been paywall-free since 2003 because we want our work to reach as many people as possible.

So we’re kicking off a campaign to enlist our most dedicated readers to help grow the number of people getting our free daily newsletter. 📧📣

By Jeanette Ageson. Jeanette is The Tyee's publisher.

Published Monday, Feb. 27, 2023.

https://thetyee.ca/Tyeenews/2023/02/27/Getting-Good-Journalism-Into-The-World/

Fisheries and Oceans Canada will not renew 15 open-net pen salmon fish farms in the Discovery Islands — a key migration route for B.C.’s wild salmon, it announced.

Esteemed marine biologist Alexandra Morton was enormously relieved. A Tyee interview.

Amanda Follett Hosgood reports.

Published Monday, Feb. 27, 2023.

https://thetyee.ca/News/2023/02/27/Alexandra-Morton-Hopes-For-Salmon/

The Tyee’s strong showing among 469 total entries by publications and broadcasters across Canada, said senior editor Paul Willcocks, is a validation of reader-supported journalism.

Olamide Olaniyan writes. Olamide is The Tyee's associate editor.

Published Monday, Feb. 27, 2023.

https://thetyee.ca/Tyeenews/2023/02/27/Tyee-Snags-Five-CAJ-Nominations/

A single senior woman in B.C. with a $29,000 annual pension is not eligible for the federal guaranteed income supplement, and would need to pay $9,000 a year for one hour of care every day, notes advocate Isobel Mackenzie, leaving insufficient funds for housing and food.

Moira Wyton is The Tyee’s health reporter. Follow her @moirawyton or reach her here. This reporting beat is made possible by the Local Journalism Initiative.

https://thetyee.ca/News/2023/02/24/Must-Improve-Home-Support-Seniors/