More B.C. NDP stumbles on drug decriminalization
A government that sought decriminalization of hard drugs four years ago seems to not have prepared for the consequences
When encountering a patient using an illicit substance, “assess immediate safety (overdose, flames, behavioural), if safe let patient finish, if unsafe take steps to address safety and acknowledge patient, then return in five minutes to assess and dialogue.”
The memo was introduced in the legislature by the B.C. United Opposition as a followup to the one they provided earlier this month from the Northern Health Region. That memo told staff they could not take illicit drugs away from patients, prevent their usage, or seize drugs from visitors.
The New Democrats tried to discredit it as out of date and applied to one hospital in one region. They also claimed it was “poorly phrased,” suggesting it could have benefited from the obfuscating touch of the NDP’s messaging wizards.
But the Island Health memo, dated March 14, further substantiates that the practice of turning a blind eye to illicit drugs in hospitals is widespread and continuing.
