The Conservative Party of B.C. is calling for a public inquiry after a leaked provincial health ministry document brought to light the trafficking of government “safe supply” drugs.
The program offers pharmaceutical-grade drugs like opioids as prescriptions for patients who can use them as an alternative to illegal drugs, according to the document.
B.C.’s government started its “safe supply” program in 2020. Approximately half a million pills were released in the first six months, according to the presentation.
The health ministry document noted more than 60 pharmacies were thought to be part of a scheme to traffic the drugs.
“A significant portion of the opioids being freely prescribed by doctors & pharmacists in B.C. are not being consumed by their intended recipients,“ the document said, noting that ”prescribed alternatives are trafficked provincially, nationally and internationally.”
“Since I raised this issue in early 2023, David Eby, his ministers, and the Public Health Officer have denied and downplayed the extent of ’safe supply' diversion,” Sturko said.
She called it a “betrayal of public trust.”
B.C. Health Minister Josie Osborne confirmed to reporters on Feb. 5 that the document was valid. She said it was “disappointing” it had been leaked because it could compromise the investigation.
“I want to acknowledge that we know that this is happening. These allegations are here. There’s absolutely no denial of it,” she said. “There’s no diminishing of it, and there should be no acceptance of it. That’s why we’re taking the actions that we are.”
Osborne also said those involved in the scheme were “a very small proportion” of pharmacies in the province.
Pharmacies claim about $11,000 in dispensing fees per year, per patient, according to the document. It noted that some pharmacies are using the money to pay incentives to clients.
It is believed that those involved include assisted living residences, doctors, pharmacies, and gangs who are facilitating the drug diversion, the document said.
The federal Conservatives have also weighed in, saying the document shows the “safe supply” program is “a disaster.”
They also said it was not only a B.C. problem.
In December, the B.C. College of Pharmacists suspended Geoffrey Kyle Soo Chan for dispensing 28,404 doses of naloxone nasal spray to one individual.
Border Drug Problem
The document’s release comes as the United States has threatened tariffs unless Canada tightens its border and stops the flow of drugs and illegal immigration.President Donald Trump has paused a plan to put a 25 percent tariff on Canadian exports for 30 days.
Sturko said Premier David Eby needed to address the issue before the 30 days are up.
“British Columbia was singled out as a source of illegal opioid trafficking by the American President,” she said. “Canada now has a 30-day reprieve from US tariffs to address border security and drug trafficking.”
