The Vancouver Police Department is calling for expanded opioid assisted therapy programs, addiction treatment, and an increase in public awareness to support prevention as a result of the ongoing opioid crisis.
In 2016, 931 British Columbians died from drug overdoses – 216 of these overdose deaths were in Vancouver. Fentanyl was detected in approximately 60% of those deaths.
The lack of evidence-based addiction treatment services contributes to a broad range of health and community harms that extend well beyond fatal overdoses. These harms can be prevented by investment in addiction care.
For more information about the ongoing opioid crisis, read The Opioid Crisis: The Need For Treatment On Demand.
