Category: News

03/05/2024

Backlash against drug decriminalization and safe supply ‘terrifies’ B.C.’s exiting chief coroner

CBC News · Posted: Feb 01, 2024 Lisa Lapointe says significant policy change at all levels of government is needed to save lives. Since she became B.C.’s chief coroner in February 2011, Lisa Lapointe has seen a lot change. In 2016, the province declared a public health emergency over drug poisoning deaths. In 2023, B.C. decriminalized the possession of … Continued

News

01/31/2024

Psychedelic research secures first-ever European Union grant of €6.5 million

Marking a historic first for Europe, the European Union has funded research into psychedelic therapy as part of its Horizon Europe programme. Published on 24th January 2024 By Stephanie Price The EU has awarded €6.5 million to a consortium of 19 partners from nine different European countries for a clinical trial – the PsyPal trial. The … Continued

News

02/07/2024

Sunshine, Sassafras, and MDMA

Sassafras: the Root of MDMA Sassafras, a plant native to Eastern North America and Asia, has long been known for its medicinal properties. Among the Kituwah (Aniyvwiya) people of the Southeastern US, it serves as a traditional remedy to treat skin conditions, fevers, and urinary issues. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, Asian varieties of Sassafras are … Continued

News

01/31/2024

The Potential of Coca

Coca has been used as a medicine for over 4000 years in what is now Colombia, Peru, and Bolivia. Often misunderstood due to its association with illicit substances, coca offers numerous benefits beyond its popular reputation. From traditional medicine to modern nutraceuticals, the coca leaf has several applications. The coca plant has potential for enormous … Continued

News

12/01/2022

Calls for Expanded Safe Supply as B.C. Counts Another 179 Overdose Deaths

The Canadian Press, Dec 01, 2022 B.C. chief coroner Lisa Lapointe speaks during a press conference in the press gallery at the Legislature in Victoria, Monday, Nov. 1, 2021. Lapointe says the increased toxicity and variability of street drugs has created an environment where everyone who uses substances is at risk. PHOTO BY CHAD HIPOLITO /THE … Continued

News

11/02/2023

Cocaine use rising in Canada, new data suggests, as researchers link stimulants to drug deaths

StatsCan report shows overall rise in wastewater levels Lauren Pelley · CBC News · Posted: Nov 02, 2023 1:00 AM PDT | Last Updated: 10 hours ago More Canadians are using stimulants such as cocaine, new federal data suggests, and experts warn the trend is contributing to a high percentage of drug-related deaths. In most municipalities studied, cocaine levels … Continued

News

02/01/2023

Illicit drugs killing First Nations people at 5 times the rate of B.C.’s general population

Brenna Owen · The Canadian Press Indigenous people, especially women, are dying from toxic drugs at disproportionately high rates in British Columbia as the overdose crisis continues “unabated,” nearly seven years after the province first declared a public health emergency, said the top doctor for the First Nations Health Authority. Dr. Nel Wieman, the acting … Continued

News

10/13/2023

Stimulant Use and Risks to People Who Use Drugs Occasionally

Stimulant Use and People Who Use Drugs Occasionally: High Risk of Overdose and Death People who use drugs occasionally are just as vulnerable to the Toxic Drug Crisis as people with Substance Use Disorder (SUD) and those who use drugs chronically. Occasional users are most likely to use drugs at special events or in private … Continued

News

09/15/2023

Mythbusting with Sunshine Labs

Innovative solutions are crucial to addressing the complex challenges surrounding the overdose crisis, and Sunshine Labs hopes to be a beacon of evidence-based progress in the area of Safer Supply. However, There are some misconceptions about us that we want to acknowledge and clarify. In this article, we will challenge these myths, shedding light on … Continued

News

09/07/2023

Destigmatizing Substance Use Disorders

What does “PWUD” Mean? PWUD is an acronym of “People Who Use Drugs.” This term is used in discussions and studies concerning drug use, addiction, and harm reduction. It acknowledges the humanity and complexity of individuals dealing with substance use disorders (SUD) and highlights the need for compassionate approaches to addressing these issues. This term … Continued