On January 31st, the Canadian Drug Policy Coalition launched “To End a Crisis: Vision for BC Drug Policy.” This is more than a vision; it is a crucial call to action. 

Developed by a provincial working group of civil society organizations and people who use drugs, the roadmap for reform covers four critical areas: Drug Regulation; Decriminalization; Addressing Inequality; and Detox, Recovery, and Treatment. 

DABC and a number of other community organizations are endorsing the Vision for BC Drug Policy. Learn more and endorse the platform here:  https://drugpolicy.ca/visionforbcdrugpolicy/.

Transforming these policies is not just essential; it is an act of love and care for all. 

#VisionForBCDrugPolicy

If you are a person with a physical disability who is currently at risk due to the high temperatures in BC, Praxis Spinal Cord Institute and Technology for Living would like to help you as soon as they can. Through their pilot initiative: SCI Climate Futures, brought to you by BC Hydro, they are looking to reach out to individuals with disabilities who don’t have effective cooling in their homes. Their goal is to provide you with portable cooling devices, free of charge, to make sure you stay comfortable during heatwaves this summer.

Please sign up here: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/RZHPLXR

A bill has been introduced in the House of Commons to introduce legislation that would delay the expansion of Medical Assistance in Dying (#MAID) ‘s eligibility requirements—particularly for people with mental illness as their only underlying condition— to March 2024. Read the government’s press release here.

We empathize that for people with mental illness who have been wanting to apply for MAID, the possible passing of this bill will come as a huge disappointment. We feel for those who are not currently able to apply for MAiD but wish to do so. We also strongly advocate for comprehensive and holistic supports and safeguards that can provide greater access to necessary treatments and access to services that reduce poverty and increase  quality of life. No one should feel that their only choice is MAiD due to poor societal conditions alone. 

If this bill is passed, we hope that over the course of the next year, actionable work on clarifying eligibility criteria can be informed by the input of those most impacted.