Author profile
Roy Purssell, MD, FRCPC
Background Self-poisoning is a major public health concern in Canada, particularly among children and youth. Among 10- to 17-year-old Canadians, 2140 young people were hospitalized due to self-poisoning during the... Read More
Mortality due to drug overdose has risen to unprecedented levels in British Columbia. In 2020, 1724 people died of drug overdose compared to 984 people in 2019.[1] There has been a significant increase in the... Read More
Background Noncardiogenic pulmonary edema (NCPE) is an uncommon but potentially fatal complication associated with opioid overdoses that must be recognized and managed promptly. The typical presentation includes... Read More
In May 2010, the Canadian Medical Association passed the following resolution: “The Canadian Medical Association supports the use of random breath tests (i.e., MAS) in existing police spot-check programs, as part of a... Read More
Background Poisoning is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in Canada and around the world. Poisonous substances include, but are not limited to, drugs, pesticides, gases, and household cleaners. However,... Read More
Ecstasy is a common party drug taken for its stimulant, euphoric, and empathogenic effects. In 2013, 4% of youth age 12 to 19 surveyed in the BC Adolescent Health Survey reported using ecstasy.[1] In a convenience... Read More
The Emergency Services Advisory Committee (ESAC) wishes to make all physicians who practise emergency medicine in British Columbia aware of recommendations from a recent (13 May 2014 [revised 30 June 2014]) BC Coroners... Read More
Electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes) are products that deliver an aerosol by heating a solution typically containing nicotine in propylene glycol or glycerol with flavoring agents. Controversy and debate continue around... Read More
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
Alcohol-related crashes are the leading criminal cause of death in Canada.[1] It was estimated that in 2009, 976 people died in alcohol-related crashes in Canada.[2] Canada lags far behind comparable democracies in... Read More