Toxic illegal drugs in British Columbia are causing more deaths annually than all other unnatural causes of death combined according to the province’s chief coroner.  Speaking at a press conference on Feb. 9, Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe said at least 2,224 people died from illicit drug overdoses in 2021—a 26 percent rise over the previous…

Six individuals have been charged for operating a clandestine drug laboratory following an eight-month investigation by the RCMP in Richmond, B.C. A Dec. 22 statement said the Public Prosecution Service of Canada has laid charges against six individuals arrested on Oct. 28, 2020, when the Richmond RCMP Organized Crime Unit executed several search warrants in…

Environmentally damaging levels of illicit drugs have been found in the river running through the Glastonbury Festival site, scientists said. Researchers discovered that during the festival, levels of MDMA and cocaine in the water were so high it could be harming wildlife further downstream, including rare populations of eels. The experts are now urging greenfield…

Statistics and data show that drug decriminalization and harm reduction have had adverse results and led to more dire consequences, says a California-based author and journalist who once advocated for both. Between 1996 and 2000, Michael Shellenberger supported harm reduction policies and fought for the treatment of drug addiction as a public health problem rather…

Two parents have been charged for allegedly attempting to smuggle over 100 kilograms of drugs in their luggage and one of their children’s suitcases at Toronto Pearson International Airport. On Feb. 7, Canada Border Service Agency (CBSA) officers searched the family—two adults and two children, aged 10 and 12—after they arrived from Montego Bay, Jamaica….

British Columbia reported its highest number of overdose deaths ever in the same year, with nearly five people dying on average everyday, according to a new report. The report (pdf) released Thursday by the B.C. Coroners Service said 1,716 people died from illicit drug overdoses in 2020 alone—a 74 percent spike over the numbers recorded the…

Vancouver Mayor Kennedy Stewart says Health Canada has agreed to start formal discussions on the city’s plan to decriminalize possession of small amounts of illicit drugs. The confirmation from federal Health Minister Patty Hajdu came in response to the city council voting in November to ask Ottawa to decriminalize simple possession of all illicit drugs…