Author profile

The physician’s role in supporting people who use substances in a dual public health emergency

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is taking a devastating toll globally. As of May 2020, there have been 76 000 cases of COVID-19 confirmed in Canada, including 2446 cases and 146 deaths in British Columbia. The... Read More

The physician’s role in harm reduction

As respected leaders, physicians are well positioned to address community concerns with evidence and to advocate for harm reduction to reduce health inequities and improve the health of marginalized populations across... Read More

Patient and physician resources for naloxone use in BC

Since the overdose crisis was declared a public health emergency in BC in April 2016, the BC Centre for Disease Control (BCCDC), in partnership with the Ministry of Health, health authorities, and community partners,... Read More

Illicit fentanyl: An emerging threat to people who use drugs in BC

Fentanyl-detected illicit drug overdose deaths in British Columbia increased dramatically from 5% of total illicit drug deaths in 2012 to over 25% in 2014.[1] While clusters of fentanyl-detected deaths have been... Read More

New methadone dosing: Overdose dangers

New methadone is 10 times more concentrated than the currently compounded anhydrous methadone solution. Are we ready to prevent potential overdoses? Between 1 February and 1 March 2014 Pharmacare will transition... Read More

The scope of the problem: The health of incarcerated women in BC

In 2009 37 057[1] individuals were admitted to the correctional system in BC, of whom approximately 10% were female. Women in BC are incarcerated in either the federal or the provincial correctional system. ... Read More

Guest editorial: The health of incarcerated women in BC

Most physicians in BC will eventually encounter patients in their medical practices who have previous or current incarceration experience. These women can have problems that are medically complex and they may be... Read More

Collaborative community-prison programs for incarcerated women in BC

Correctional institutions in BC offer a variety of health and education programs for wo­men, including drug and alcohol counseling, Narcotics/Alcoholics Anonymous meetings, and Native liaison services. Incarcerated... Read More

Increasing access to naloxone in BC to reduce opioid overdose deaths

Opioid overdose is a public health issue in British Columbia. In 2009, more than 200 deaths were identified as illicit drug deaths (IDD),[1] opiates were found in 60%,[2] and an additional 74 deaths were in persons... Read More

Agranulocytosis (neutropenia) associated with levamisole in cocaine in British Columbia

Cases of agranulocytosis associated with the use of cocaine containing levamisole were identified in British Columbia in 2008 following an alert from Alberta.[1] From early 2008 to February 2011, 45 cases were reported... Read More