Front Burner

A backlash to B.C.'s drug policies?

As people in B.C. continue to die from toxic drugs, a look at harm reduction efforts in the province. Have they failed, or have they not gone far enough?
A woman injects hydromorphone at a clinic in Vancouver's Downtown Eastside, 2016. (Darryl Dyck/Canadian Press)

B.C. is on track to have another record-breaking year for toxic drug deaths. But as people continue to die, a backlash appears to be growing to the province's current strategies for tackling the crisis.

A recent polarizing documentary, Vancouver Is Dying, as well as a recent video by federal Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre, have pointed fingers at B.C.'s slate of harm reduction policies.

But many drug policy experts argue just the opposite.

Today, Moira Wyton, a health reporter for the Tyee, joins us for a look at the state of BC's toxic drug crisis, the criticisms coming from both ends of the spectrum, and where things go from here.

Listen on Google Podcasts

Listen on Apple Podcasts

Listen on Spotify