Whereas the Province of British Columbia declared a drug toxicity public emergency in 2016, acknowledging the rapid increase in overdose deaths and the need to deploy the necessary harm reduction strategies with urgency to prevent additional deaths; And whereas over 13,000 people have died of toxic drugs since 2016 in communities across British Columbia, including at least 2,500 people in 2023, about two-thirds of which were from inhalation, yet only about 40 of supervised consumption and overdose prevention sites in British Columbia offer inhalation services: Therefore be it resolved that UBCM ask the Province of British Columbia to increase funding for Health Authorities to augment existing, and to open new, supervised consumption and overdose prevention sites, including related inhalation services, across British Columbia and including local governments which do not currently offer this service to residents.
Ministry of Health Overdose Prevention Services OPS and Supervised Consumption Services SCS save lives, reduce harm, and promote connections to care and treatment. OPSSCS establishment is a complex process, typically led by health authorities. Services are stood up based on community needs and available facilities and resourcing. OPSSCS have been rapidly scaled up across BC since the declaration of a toxic drug public health emergency, with more than 59 services operating in BC as of March 2025. Building on previous investments, Budget 2024 allocates 49 million to support existing harm reduction initiatives at OPS, drug checking, and naloxone kit distribution. To support quality service delivery, the Province is developing minimum service standards for OPS. Once complete, the standards will be implemented in collaboration with health authorities. The Province is committed to ensuring that people can access the right supports, at the right time, across the full continuum of care including OPSSCS where appropriate.