B-C’s representative for children and youth says her office hasn’t seen any indication that youth are using drugs “diverted” from the safe supply program. Jennifer Charlesworth’s remarks come after Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre told the House of Commons that federal and B-C government policies are worsening the overdose crisis because prescription hydromorphone “gets sold to kids” by those taking part in the program, and that the profits are being used to buy fentanyl. Provincial Health Officer Bonnie Henry says monitoring has not detected an increase in opioid overdoses involving children, although it may be time to re-evaluate the program to ensure safe supply is meeting people’s needs as the province emerges from the COVID-19 pandemic. B-C’s chief coroner Lisa Lapointe says toxicology tests show hydromorphone hasn’t been present in any significant number of deaths.
