16 people have died due to unregulated toxic drugs in northeast B.C. this year, Northern Health wrote in a Nov. 21 letter to the City of Fort St. John.
“The toxic unregulated drug crisis continues to have a detrimental impact on individuals, families, and communities across Northern BC, including Fort St. John,” explained Angela De Smit, Chief Operating Officer for Northern Health.
“Strategies to mitigate substance use harms and unnecessary deaths continue to be an urgent priority,” she added.
The letter penned to let the city know Northern Health is still planning to open a permanent Overdose Prevention Services site at the new Fort St. John Community Health Services Centre located at 10067-100th Avenue.
The site will also serve as a warming centre, De Smit further noted, but renovations are needed.
“There have been some challenges in light of the escalating construction costs for the proposed renovations,” wrote De Smit. “NH is currently reviewing the current building layout and the ability to bring in the services we initially proposed while we continue to plan for the use of the space for immediate and future use.”
You can read the letter in full here:
13. Northern Health - Overdose Prevention Services in Fort St. John and FAQs November 21, 2023 by Tom Summer on Scribd
