The province is stepping up support in an effort to slow the tide of deaths from fentanyl.
Judy Darcy, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions has announced the province is beefing up support for regional teams to proactively identify and support people at risk of overdose, it will allow wider access to substitution drug treatment, will expand outreach programs and increase the availability of Naloxone.
John Hedican, who lives in Courtenay, lost his 26 year old son in April to, what he calls, not an overdose, but rather fentanyl poisoning.
Hedican says as soon as illegal and criminal are attached to an actvity you are alone with your child…..
Hedican says we need to start treating addiction like we do cancer with research, campaigns and openness about the part it plays in our lives.
