The crisis of overdose deaths in British Columbia is a multifaceted and complex issue. British Columbia has taken a pioneering role in addressing this crisis by establishing the first supervised injection sites in North America, implementing widespread access to opiate replacement therapy, making safer supply available through physicians, and decriminalizing the possession of small quantities of drugs for personal use.
Despite these efforts, the most recent coroner’s report indicates that the province is experiencing a staggering rate of 6 overdose deaths daily. Public health officials report that the majority of fatalities involve people who use drugs occasionally rather than people who use substances on a daily basis.
While decriminalization may assist in reducing stigma, it does not effectively address the issue of individuals acquiring toxic drugs and perishing at an alarming rate. To address this challenge, experts suggest that one potential course of action would involve providing people who use drugs with an opportunity to purchase certified drugs with known levels of purity and quantity. While this notion may be difficult for some to accept, many experts suggest that this represents a rational next step.
We defer to specialists in this area to determine the specifics of how this could be implemented, and do not engage in promoting or launching safer supply initiatives, however we are eager to support researchers and clinicians working in this domain.
Our organization’s original objective was to investigate potential partnerships with researchers investigating psychedelic therapies, such as psilocybin treatment for PTSD, and we have since expanded our focus.
We are currently exploring ways to leverage our expertise and global connections to facilitate the efforts of researchers and clinicians who seek to extend the scope of safer supply programs, interventions, and research studies.
NOTE: Sunshine Labs is licensed by Health Canada to conduct the following regulated activities: possession, production, assembling, sale/provision and sending, transportation and delivery with coca leaf, cocaine, diacetylmorphine, morphine, MDMA, opium and psilocybin under tight limitations imposed by Health Canada.
For further information, please refer to the following source: coroners-service/statistical/illicit-drug.pdf
We acknowledge the traditional, unceded territories of the Coast Salish People, specifically the Lkwungen (Lekwungen) People.
“A Victoria company, Sunshine Earth Labs, issued its own news release saying Health Canada amended its licence to allow the production, sale and distribution of cocaine, opium and MDMA. In a statement that reeks of logic and understanding of the issue, the company said it “aims to bring safer supply of drugs to the global market.
People die in B.C. at the rate of about six a day from overdoses. As stated, most are casual users—recreational users looking for a good time, not their last time.
The government’s efforts to reduce overdose deaths is largely limited to allowing safe injection sites—very few—and distributing naloxone kits. How’s that working? The numbers speak for themselves.” Pique
“Health Canada did not answer Tyee questions about how many companies or facilities in Canada can legally produce or sell the cocaine, but noted Gulf Islands-based Sunshine Labs is permitted to produce and sell small amounts of cocaine, MDMA and prescription heroin to other licensed facilities as of early January.” Tyee
Disclaimer: Sale of these substances can only occur under the specific guidelines of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA). Sale is allowed to another licensed dealer, pharmacist, practitioner, or hospital employee provided they have the necessary Health Canada License. This license does not permit the sale of any of these substances to the general public.