addictions

CPA President Tom Stamatakis. (Tom Stamatakis/Twitter)

Police association president supports decriminalization but says it won’t curb crime in B.C.

CPA president says B.C. minister misrepresented police decriminalization stance

 

Recovering addict Mike Kappeler just released the first episode in his TV series called Recovery Life which focuses on the positive side of recovery in an addict’s or alcoholic’s life. He is seen here in downtown Chilliwack on Tuesday, Oct. 12, 2021. (Jenna Hauck/ Chilliwack Progress file)

Former B.C. addict releases first ‘Recovery Life’ TV episode

TV series shares ‘amazing and uplifting stories’ of recovery, says Mike Kappeler

 

Cait Marco (from left), Kacie Stirrett and Jasmine Campbell, staff with the Threshold Housing Society, stand outside the organization’s recently opened home for people aged 15 to 21 who are at risk of homelessness or overdose. Programming at the house aims to fill a gap in available opioid recovery services in Victoria. (Kiernan Green/News Staff)

New Victoria recovery housing for young opioid users aims to reduce overdoses

Addiction recovery sessions, counselling available for residents, who will stay up to four months

 

A construction worker works on the roof line of apartments under construction in the 1600 block of E. Marine View Drive on Friday, April 24, 2020 in Everett, Wa. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)

B.C. pledges $1M for harm reduction to prevent overdose deaths among construction workers

Funding will expand Tailgate Toolkit program, which has already been operating on Vancouver Island

A construction worker works on the roof line of apartments under construction in the 1600 block of E. Marine View Drive on Friday, April 24, 2020 in Everett, Wa. (Andy Bronson / The Herald)
A shoulder patch on a correctional officer is shown at the Collins Bay Institution in Kingston, Ont., on Tuesday, May 10, 2016. The Correctional Service of Canada said it is working to provide timely access to addiction treatment after settling a human rights complaint launched in 2018. THE CANADIAN/Lars Hagberg

Correctional Service settles human rights case for prisoners addicted to opioids

Settlement agreement was reached last month

A shoulder patch on a correctional officer is shown at the Collins Bay Institution in Kingston, Ont., on Tuesday, May 10, 2016. The Correctional Service of Canada said it is working to provide timely access to addiction treatment after settling a human rights complaint launched in 2018. THE CANADIAN/Lars Hagberg
Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price blocks a shot during the second period in Game 2 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup semifinal playoff series against the Vegas Golden Knights, Wednesday, June 16, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)

Habs goalie Carey Price says ‘substance use’ led him to NHL’s assistance program

‘Over the last few years I have let myself get to a very dark place and I didn’t have the tools to cope’

Montreal Canadiens goaltender Carey Price blocks a shot during the second period in Game 2 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup semifinal playoff series against the Vegas Golden Knights, Wednesday, June 16, 2021, in Las Vegas. (AP Photo/John Locher)
A sheriff’s car sits out front of the Capitol Theatre on Argyle Street in Port Alberni, where a coroner’s inquest into the 2016 death of 18-year-old Jocelyn George is taking place. (June 23, 2021) (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)

Coroner’s inquest suggests creation of wellness centre in Port Alberni

Recommendation one of 24 made after B.C. teen’s death in 2016

A sheriff’s car sits out front of the Capitol Theatre on Argyle Street in Port Alberni, where a coroner’s inquest into the 2016 death of 18-year-old Jocelyn George is taking place. (June 23, 2021) (SUSAN QUINN/ Alberni Valley News)
Photos displayed at a vigil for former Nanaimo outreach worker Amy Watts, whose body was found June 3 and whose death RCMP are investigating as a homicide. (News Bulletin photo)

‘We need to do better,’ says mother of woman killed in Nanaimo

Vigil held for former outreach worker Amy Watts, whose body was found downtown June 3

Photos displayed at a vigil for former Nanaimo outreach worker Amy Watts, whose body was found June 3 and whose death RCMP are investigating as a homicide. (News Bulletin photo)
Nathan Watts, a member of the Tseshaht First Nation near Port Alberni, shares his story of substance use, a perspective he said isn’t seen enough. (Photo courtesy of Nathan Watts)

Public shaming, hate perpetuates further substance use: UVic researcher

Longtime addict Nathan Watts offers a user’s perspective on substance use

Nathan Watts, a member of the Tseshaht First Nation near Port Alberni, shares his story of substance use, a perspective he said isn’t seen enough. (Photo courtesy of Nathan Watts)
Nathan Watts, a member of the Tseshaht First Nation near Port Alberni, shares his story of substance use, a perspective he said isn’t seen enough. (Photo courtesy of Nathan Watts)

Public shaming, hate perpetuates further substance use: UVic researcher

Longtime addict Nathan Watts offers a user’s perspective on substance use

Nathan Watts, a member of the Tseshaht First Nation near Port Alberni, shares his story of substance use, a perspective he said isn’t seen enough. (Photo courtesy of Nathan Watts)
The Salvation Army Victoria officially launched its new live-in drug and alcohol recovery program March 31. From left to right: Shelley Gudgeon, Salvation Army Community Council member, Major Sheldon Feener, Addictions and Rehabilitation Centre (ARC) executive director, Jeffrey Baergen, ARC program director, Sarah Potts, Victoria city councillor, and Patricia Mamic, public and government affairs director. (Courtesy of Jeffrey Baergen)

Salvation Army cuts ribbon on Victoria’s new live-in addiction recovery program

Six-month program offered to nine people at once

The Salvation Army Victoria officially launched its new live-in drug and alcohol recovery program March 31. From left to right: Shelley Gudgeon, Salvation Army Community Council member, Major Sheldon Feener, Addictions and Rehabilitation Centre (ARC) executive director, Jeffrey Baergen, ARC program director, Sarah Potts, Victoria city councillor, and Patricia Mamic, public and government affairs director. (Courtesy of Jeffrey Baergen)
A new harm reduction strategy called Tailgate Toolkit targets addictions amongst trades and construction workers. (Unsplash)

Harm reduction project targets Vancouver Island construction, trades workers

More than half of B.C.’s 2018 overdose deaths were people working in trades or transport

A new harm reduction strategy called Tailgate Toolkit targets addictions amongst trades and construction workers. (Unsplash)
Friends and family say much more needs to be done to help people like ‘Roby.’ Photo supplied

More than a statistic: how ‘Roby’ fell through Vancouver Island’s cracks

Mother, friends point to obstacles preventing the most vulnerable people from getting help

Friends and family say much more needs to be done to help people like ‘Roby.’ Photo supplied
Sheila Malcolmson, minister of Mental Health and Addictions, says funding for recovery and treatment providers will ensure mental health and addictions services continue. (Black Press Media file photo)

Province grants $50,000 to Greater Victoria mental health, addiction treatment providers

Province awards more than $2 million to recovery providers hit by pandemic

Sheila Malcolmson, minister of Mental Health and Addictions, says funding for recovery and treatment providers will ensure mental health and addictions services continue. (Black Press Media file photo)
20-year-old Merritt man Darius Sam raised over $100,000 for the Nicola Valley Food Bank after his attempt to run 100 miles in 24 hours gained widespread attention. Sam will be attempting the feat again Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, this time to raise awareness on the topic of addiction. (Contributed)

Merritt man attempts to run 100-miles in 24 hours for addiction awareness

After raising $110,000 for the food bank in his first 100-mile try, Sam is focusing on a new cause

20-year-old Merritt man Darius Sam raised over $100,000 for the Nicola Valley Food Bank after his attempt to run 100 miles in 24 hours gained widespread attention. Sam will be attempting the feat again Saturday, Dec. 5, 2020, this time to raise awareness on the topic of addiction. (Contributed)
Kelly Fells and Jenny Howard outside the Ministry of Health building as part of a rally in July aiming to call attention to the ongoing overdose epidemic. (Kendra Crighton/News Staff)

Victoria rally calling for decriminalization of drugs to be held day before B.C. election

The rally start at 3 p.m. in Centennial Square

Kelly Fells and Jenny Howard outside the Ministry of Health building as part of a rally in July aiming to call attention to the ongoing overdose epidemic. (Kendra Crighton/News Staff)
Man Up Demolition crew Donald Share (front), Paul Packer, Murray Klaassen and David Slemin are open for business in Sooke. (Aaron Guillen/News Staff)

New Sooke businesses popping up, amid turbulent market

‘I’m not quitting on these guys’, says company owner

  • Sep 17, 2020
Man Up Demolition crew Donald Share (front), Paul Packer, Murray Klaassen and David Slemin are open for business in Sooke. (Aaron Guillen/News Staff)
‘We want to help’: As overdose deaths spike, beds lay empty at long-term Surrey rehab centre

‘We want to help’: As overdose deaths spike, beds lay empty at long-term Surrey rehab centre

John Volken Academy searching for ‘students’ to enlist in two-year residential treatment program

‘We want to help’: As overdose deaths spike, beds lay empty at long-term Surrey rehab centre
(The Canadian Press)

B.C. launches 24/7 helpline to connect experts with people with addictions

The helpline will allow clinicians unfamiliar with prescribing safe alternatives to discuss options

(The Canadian Press)
The Fuller Lake Arena parking lot homeless tenting enclosure. (Photo by Don Bodger)

Man found dead in his tent at Island homeless camp

Facebook posts tell of personal struggles and attempts to stay clean and sober

The Fuller Lake Arena parking lot homeless tenting enclosure. (Photo by Don Bodger)