Here’s how the BC NDP’s stance on safe supply has evolved over time:
Initial support (2017-2020)
- When the NDP came to power in 2017, they initially supported expanding harm reduction measures, including safe supply, to address the opioid crisis[5].
- They introduced prescribed safe supply programs in 2020, allowing users to receive prescribed opioids as an alternative to illicit street drugs with the goals of stopping people’s purchase of street fentanyl and reducing fatal overdoses. Four years later, there is no scientific proof the program has achieved either[1][9].
Continued advocacy (2020-2022)
- The NDP government continued to tout safer supply as a life-saving measure, despite lacking comprehensive data to support the claim[5][9].
- They invested in providing safe supply to deal with B.C.’s high death toll from toxic drugs[5].
Shift in focus (2022-2023)
- By 2022, the government’s focus began shifting slightly to include the build-up of some addiction treatment along with safe supply[5].
- The 2022/23 budget made no mention of safe supply, focusing instead on expanding addiction treatment services, including 95 beds in Vancouver and money for concept planning (no capital funding) to begin a plan for 105 residential treatment beds elsewhere[5].
Becoming defensive (2023-2024)
- As criticism and concerns about diversion of safe supply drugs increased, the NDP government became more defensive of the existing program[2][3][4][10][11][12].
- Premier David Eby downplayed concerns about widespread diversion while acknowledging it as a “serious issue”[2][3][13][14].
- The government maintained support for the existing prescribed safe supply program but opposed expanding it to non-prescription distribution[1][15].
Recent developments (2024)
- The NDP has been facing increased pressure from opposition parties and critics regarding safe supply[4][6].
- They’ve shown reluctance to expand safe supply programs beyond the medical model, despite calls from B.C.’s top health officer and others to do so[6][15].
- The government has said it is committed to the existing program while emphasizing the need to prevent diversion and committed to create a total of 30 secured care addiction treatment beds in a pre-trial facility and a correctional centre in the lower mainland[1][2][16][17].
Overall, the BC NDP’s stance has evolved from strong initial support and advocacy for safe supply to a more cautious and defensive position, maintaining the existing program while resisting calls for expansion and addressing criticisms about diversion and public safety concerns.
Citations
[1] https://www.canadianaffairs.news/2024/09/18/bc-ndp-conservatives-drug-policies-converge-in-close-election/
[2] https://globalnews.ca/news/10346350/eby-downplays-danielle-smiths-safe-supply-worry-after-b-c-seizure/
[3] https://vancouversun.com/news/local-news/eby-downplays-danielle-smiths-concerns-about-diversion-of-bc-safe-supply-drugs
[4] https://northernbeat.ca/opinion/criticisms-force-eby-government-to-pivot-on-safe-supply/
[5] https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/bc-ndp-toxic-drug-policy-1.6365992
[6] https://www.readthemaple.com/the-b-c-ndp-is-folding-to-right-wing-pressure-on-drug-policy/
[7] https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/british-columbia/safe-supply-drugs-aren-t-being-widely-diverted-solicitor-general-1.6364753
[8] https://bc.ctvnews.ca/secret-report-or-standard-research-b-c-government-addresses-safe-supply-allegations-1.6859536
[9] https://northernbeat.ca/opinion/faith-believe-safe-supply/
[10] https://northernbeat.ca/news/safe-supply-drugs-now-part-of-organized-crime-business-says-bc-rcmp/
[11] https://northernbeat.ca/news/prescription-drug-transactions-outside-drugstores-in-five-bc-cites/
[12] https://northernbeat.ca/news/rcmp-gag-order-safe-supply-drug-seizures-put-bc-ndp-on-hot-seat/
[13] https://northernbeat.ca/news/more-bc-police-seize-suspected-safe-supply-pills/
[14] https://northernbeat.ca/news/ab-minister-to-bc-government-on-drug-diversion-lets-prove-it/
[15] https://northernbeat.ca/opinion/bc-government-stance-on-drug-activities-odds-with-reality/
[15] https://northernbeat.ca/opinion/critics-denounce-radical-drug-plan-bc-ndp-backs-away-from-pho/
[16] https://northernbeat.ca/opinion/criticisms-force-eby-government-to-pivot-on-safe-supply/
[17] https://bc.ctvnews.ca/b-c-premier-to-make-announcement-on-mental-health-addiction-treatment-1.7038703
To add to this page, contact info@northernbeat.ca