B.C. ends take-home safer supply for drug users to stop diversion

The provincial government of British Columbia made a significant change in its approach to safe supply drugs, particularly for individuals who rely on prescription opioids like hydromorphone. Health Minister Josie Osborne announced that people must now take these safe supply drugs under the supervision of a pharmacist, effective immediately. This decision marks a major shift in policy, aimed at preventing the diversion of prescription opioids that have found their way into the hands of organized criminals and have been used as a form of currency on the streets.

B.C. Conservative MLA Elenore Sturko expressed her support for this new directive, emphasizing that it should have been implemented sooner to address the issue of drug diversion. She highlighted the impact of diverted safe supply drugs, such as hydromorphone, in leading individuals towards addiction and, in some tragic cases, overdose deaths. Sturko’s advocacy for stricter supervision of safe supply drugs stemmed from her firsthand experience of families grappling with the devastating consequences of drug diversion.

The government’s decision to mandate pharmacist supervision for safe supply drugs comes after mounting pressure and criticism, including lawsuits filed by families of teenagers who alleged that free hydromorphone pills supplied by the government fueled their children’s addictions. Osborne defended the timing of the policy change, stating the importance of evidence-based decision-making over reactionary responses.

This shift in approach represents the second major drug policy reversal by the NDP government in response to opposition pressure. The government’s decision to enhance oversight of safe supply drugs aims to prevent their misuse and diversion, which has contributed to the ongoing drug crisis in the province.

Additionally, concerns raised by the B.C. Conservatives regarding the trafficking of prescription opioids led to an investigation into 60 pharmacies suspected of offering incentives to doctors and housing providers to attract clients with safe supply prescriptions. Osborne assured the public that these pharmacies, deemed as “bad actors,” are under active scrutiny to address potential misconduct in the distribution of safe supply drugs.

Despite the government’s assertion that the new policy aligns with harm reduction efforts, criticism has emerged from various quarters. Interim leader of the B.C. Greens, Jeremy Valeriote, expressed disappointment over the shift to a witnessed consumption model, citing concerns about the accessibility of life-saving medication and the potential repercussions of pushing individuals towards the illicit drug market.

As the province navigates the complexities of its safer supply program, the government faces scrutiny from critics who question the evidence-based rationale behind the policy change. While the decision to enhance pharmacist supervision aims to curb drug diversion and enhance safety, ongoing debate surrounds the implications of this shift for individuals dependent on prescription opioids in British Columbia.