addictions

Island Health is seeking a zoning and bylaw amendment, to permit a 19-bed addictions treatment centre at 188 McCarter St. in Parksville. (Kevin Forsyth photo)

Parksville residents voice support, concern with proposed treatment centre

Zoning and bylaw amendment sought by Island Health for 19-bed facility

 

Part of the encampment at Nunns Creek Park that clean up crews had not reached yet. Photo by Alistair Taylor/Campbell River Mirror

Operation cleans up homeless camp in Campbell River’s Nunns Creek Park

Individuals are permitted to remain sheltering on site, provided they follow certain criteria

 

Neeraj Grewal, centre manager, with Heather Brazier, Victoria Youth Clinic board chair, at the new Foundry Victoria location on Yates Street. (Ella Matte/News Staff)

Foundry Victoria expands offerings to serve region’s youth

New location nearly double the size of previous space to support expanded care teams

 

Josh Rogers and his dog Turbo, are leaving the low-barrier housing where they were living for the past year. (Ruth Lloyd photo - Williams Lake Tribune)

Homeless in the heart of B.C.: Josh and Turbo’s story

30-year-old Josh Rogers planning to pitch a tent near Williams Lake after being evicted

Josh Rogers and his dog Turbo, are leaving the low-barrier housing where they were living for the past year. (Ruth Lloyd photo - Williams Lake Tribune)
B.C. is launching a 15-bed pilot project to provide people with addictions support during and after pregnancy. The project was announced Oct. 11 by Jennifer Whiteside, minister of mental health and addictions (centre right), and Darci Skiber, senior director of the Mental Health and Substance Use Programs and Initiatives with the BC Women’s Hospital and Health Centre (centre left). (Credit: X/@JM_Whiteside)

B.C. pilots housing project for pregnant people struggling with addiction

15 beds to be available out of supportive housing sites in Vancouver, Burnaby and Victoria

B.C. is launching a 15-bed pilot project to provide people with addictions support during and after pregnancy. The project was announced Oct. 11 by Jennifer Whiteside, minister of mental health and addictions (centre right), and Darci Skiber, senior director of the Mental Health and Substance Use Programs and Initiatives with the BC Women’s Hospital and Health Centre (centre left). (Credit: X/@JM_Whiteside)
B.C. Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Jennifer Whiteside steps away from the podium after speaking during a news conference in Vancouver, on Monday, January 30, 2023. Whiteside was at the Metro Vancouver’s mayors council on Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023 to discuss the issues around public drug use. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Decriminalization meant to save lives in toxic drug crisis: Whiteside

Mental Health and Addictions Minister speaks to Metro Vancouver mayors committe on public drug use

B.C. Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Jennifer Whiteside steps away from the podium after speaking during a news conference in Vancouver, on Monday, January 30, 2023. Whiteside was at the Metro Vancouver’s mayors council on Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023 to discuss the issues around public drug use. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Joey Ter-Mitchell said he hopes the book will help others understand his struggle with addiction and navigate their own. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)

Colwood author pens story of addiction struggles

Joey Ter-Mitchell’s book tells the story of his own struggles alongside his granddad’s story

Joey Ter-Mitchell said he hopes the book will help others understand his struggle with addiction and navigate their own. (Bailey Moreton/News Staff)
City of Campbell River. Mirror file photo

‘Campbell River takes another shot at controlling public drug consumption

New bylaw prohibits consumption of controlled substances in specific city-owned public spaces

City of Campbell River. Mirror file photo
Alysha Gill, seen in an undated handout photo, says she was in and out of hospitals for anxiety and depression but did not get much say in her care so she’s hoping new standards introduced by the Health Standards Organization will help empower people when it comes to their own mental health. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Alysha Gill

Mental health, addiction, suicide prevention standards introduced in Canada

Health Standards Organization says aim is to improve care, meet needs of Canadians

Alysha Gill, seen in an undated handout photo, says she was in and out of hospitals for anxiety and depression but did not get much say in her care so she’s hoping new standards introduced by the Health Standards Organization will help empower people when it comes to their own mental health. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Alysha Gill
Jennifer Montgomery, left, and Chantelle Ruley are two of the most recent graduates of the Island Crisis Care Society’s Project Rise program. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)

Nanaimo program helping workers overcome barriers to better their lives

Island Crisis Care Society’s Project Rise graduates share their experiences

Jennifer Montgomery, left, and Chantelle Ruley are two of the most recent graduates of the Island Crisis Care Society’s Project Rise program. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)
More than 200 people turned out to Diana Krall Plaza Thursday, April 27, to demand action on social disorder. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)

Hundreds gather in Nanaimo to demand action against crime and social disorder

Rally was one of seven held across B.C. to send message that ‘enough is enough’

More than 200 people turned out to Diana Krall Plaza Thursday, April 27, to demand action on social disorder. (Chris Bush/News Bulletin)
City of Campbell River City Hall. Campbell River Mirror Photo

City of Campbell River takes another stab at ban on public drug consumption

Legal challenge, jurisdictional issues quashed first attempt so city proposing a new bylaw

City of Campbell River City Hall. Campbell River Mirror Photo
Alex Delongchamp and Gurman Tatla take part in a mass group naloxone training seminar during International Overdose Awareness Day at Centennial Square in Victoria, B.C., on Saturday August 31, 2019. Youth in B.C. soon will have easier access to mental health and addiction services with new Foundry centres being expanded to more communities. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

A dozen more addiction centres coming for youth in B.C.

Locations of the 12 new Foundry BC centres have yet to be identified

Alex Delongchamp and Gurman Tatla take part in a mass group naloxone training seminar during International Overdose Awareness Day at Centennial Square in Victoria, B.C., on Saturday August 31, 2019. Youth in B.C. soon will have easier access to mental health and addiction services with new Foundry centres being expanded to more communities. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
Robin Norbury pictured last year before his motorbike trip to the Arctic Circle. File photo

Roadblock on the road back: Islander talks about his path back from addiction

Former Vancouver Island drug user says checkered past makes it tough to find work

Robin Norbury pictured last year before his motorbike trip to the Arctic Circle. File photo
Guy Felicella spent years battling addiction. He now advocates for easier access to treatment and harm reduction strategies. (Courtesy of Guy Felicella)

Victoria addiction treatment and recovery options are limited, creating gaps in care

Recovery advocate Guy Felicella says access to treatment needs to be easier to save more lives

Guy Felicella spent years battling addiction. He now advocates for easier access to treatment and harm reduction strategies. (Courtesy of Guy Felicella)
People gather at Centennial Square marking the sixth anniversary of B.C. declaring overdose deaths a public health emergency in Victoria, Thursday, April 14, 2022. A First Nation on the northwest coast of Vancouver Island has declared a state of emergency over what its leadership describes as the “unrelating impact of drugs and alcohol” on its members, particularly children and youth.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

Island First Nation declares emergency over drug and alcohol crisis

The Ehattesaht First Nation in Zeballos says six young people have died

People gather at Centennial Square marking the sixth anniversary of B.C. declaring overdose deaths a public health emergency in Victoria, Thursday, April 14, 2022. A First Nation on the northwest coast of Vancouver Island has declared a state of emergency over what its leadership describes as the “unrelating impact of drugs and alcohol” on its members, particularly children and youth.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
Moms Stop the Harm advocates and supporters march from Centennial Square to the Ministry of Health building in Victoria on April 14, 2022, the sixth anniversary of B.C. declaring the opioid crisis a public health emergency. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

Chief coroner prescribes ‘urgency’ as B.C. records 2,272 toxic drug deaths in 2022

Experts call for holistic action, call response so far a failure

Moms Stop the Harm advocates and supporters march from Centennial Square to the Ministry of Health building in Victoria on April 14, 2022, the sixth anniversary of B.C. declaring the opioid crisis a public health emergency. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
Dave Laboucane was on suboxone when becoming clean earlier this year but returned to Kelowna’s Tent City and suffered severe burns in a fire attempting to keep his tent warm in the cold weather. (Jacqueline Gelineau/Capital News)

“There is help out there”: Kelowna burn victim identified as man with 22-year troubled past

Another example of Kelowna’s homeless population and the province’s ongoing drug crisis

Dave Laboucane was on suboxone when becoming clean earlier this year but returned to Kelowna’s Tent City and suffered severe burns in a fire attempting to keep his tent warm in the cold weather. (Jacqueline Gelineau/Capital News)
The Recovery Cafe in East Vancouver is the first of its kind in Canada. It offers a supportive space for people recovering from substance use, mental health challenges and homelessness. (Credit: Sean McGuire)

Vancouver’s Recovery Cafe is an ‘oasis in the desert’

The first of its kind in Canada, the cafe offers a physical space for support and growth

  • Dec 11, 2022
The Recovery Cafe in East Vancouver is the first of its kind in Canada. It offers a supportive space for people recovering from substance use, mental health challenges and homelessness. (Credit: Sean McGuire)
Anthony Thomas, 27, has been convicted in the death of a 51-year-old pedestrian, killed in Central Saanich. (Black Press File Photo)

Family in tears as driver sentenced in ‘heartbreaking’ Central Saanich crash

Anthony Thomas killed one woman in a crash that also left her sister with life-altering injuries

Anthony Thomas, 27, has been convicted in the death of a 51-year-old pedestrian, killed in Central Saanich. (Black Press File Photo)