BC Government Plans to Offer ‘Safe’ Fentanyl for Minors and Adults

Pink, heart-shaped fentanyl-laced pills, pressed to look like candy seized in Lynn, Massachusetts by the FBI’s North Shore Gang Task Force, Nov. 2023. (Courtesy of Department of Justice)

British Columbia is working on a plan to offer a “safe” supply of fentanyl to adults and minors.

Last summer, a joint report “Fentanyl Tablet: Prescribed Safer Supply Protocols,” was developed in collaboration with the provincial government, the British Columbia Centre on Substance Abuse, and a non-profit group called PHS Community Services Society.

The document outlines a strategy on how the government can provide a “safe” supply of fentanyl to adults and minors under B.C.’s Access to Prescribed Safer Supply policy, as first reported by journalist Adam Zivo in a paper for the MacDonald Laurier Institute.

While the report notes that there is no evidence to support the proposal, it said the recommendation is based on clinical practice from organizations including PHS Community Services Society, AVI Health and Community Services’ Victoria SAFER Initiative, and InSite Supervised Consumption site.

“This document is informed by current clinical practice and emerging evidence to provide considerations and guidance for the off-label use of fentanyl tablets to reduce unregulated fentanyl use and associated harms,” the report said.

For those under the age of 19, the report recommends a “two prescriber approval system,” wherein one individual conducts the patient intake interview and another reviews the client’s charts before approval. The report does not mention parental consent or a minimum age requirement.

Tories Criticize Plan

The federal Conservatives and Conservative Party of B.C. leader John Rustad spoke out against the plan this week after media outlets reported on it.

In a joint statement, Conservative shadow minister for health Stephen Ellis, shadow minister for  addictions Laila Goodridge, and shadow minister for mental health Todd Doherty said the NDP’s drug policy is an “abject failure.”

“The Trudeau-NDP approach to drug policy is on open display in our streets and is an abject failure. Nowhere is that more obvious than in Vancouver where Trudeau and his NDP friends have allowed drug decriminalization to destroy thousands of lives since 2017,” the ministers said.

“Despite a 300 percent increase in drug overdose deaths in the province, the BC NDP government has contracted the British Columbia Centre on Substance Use (BCCSU) to enable clinicians to prescribe dangerous fentanyl to minors under the guise of ‘safe supply.’ As if that weren’t disturbing enough, no informed consent is required from parents before children are supplied with these drugs.”

Conservative Party of B.C. leader John Rustad calls the plan “nightmare fuel” for parents. Mr. Rustad made the comments on social media in response to a media report on the proposed plan.

“This is nightmare fuel for parents and families,” he said in a Jan. 10 post on X, formerly Twitter.

“The Conservative Party of BC will end the failed, socialist ‘safe supply’ experiment in BC.”

The shadow ministers noted that the Liberal government has not said whether or not it approves of B.C.’s plans.

“All of us are deeply concerned about the path that Canada is traveling on, and we fear for the safety of our communities as governments are actively facilitating the consumption of dangerous drugs by vulnerable Canadians, including minors. There is no scientific evidence in support of this practice,” they said.

“Rather than abandoning the millions of Canadians suffering from addiction to a life of misery, we ought to treat them as fellow citizens worthy of dignity and respect, who deserve an opportunity to live fulfilling lives.”

The Epoch Times reached out to the B.C. Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, and the official opposition United Party but did not hear back by publication time.

In the government’s policy it notes that the “current toxic drug markets” and the “highly potent street fentanyl” call for action.

“There is an urgent need to make available other pharmaceutical grade medications to support individuals to disengage from the toxic drug supply,” the policy says.

BC’s Decriminalization Challenge

The strategy to create a “safe” supply of fentanyl comes as the province pulls back on its decriminalization program.

In October 2023, the governing NDP put forward legislation that added new restrictions to where illicit drugs can be consumed, banning use in certain public areas, including playgrounds, spray parks, and beaches.

“The toxic drug crisis has taken too many lives, too soon. That’s why we’re doing everything we can to save lives and help people struggling with addiction get treatment,” said Premier David Eby in a news release at the time.

“At the same time, none of us want open drug use in community gathering places—especially near where kids play. That’s why we’re taking this critical step similar to how we regulate smoking or alcohol use in public, to help people feel safer in their communities.”

The Restricting Public Consumption of Illegal Substances Act was passed by the legislature in November, allowing fines and imprisonment for people who refuse to comply with police orders not to consume drugs in certain public places.

However, a ruling by the B.C. Supreme Court on Dec. 29, 2023, blocked the laws from being put into effect.

Chief Justice Christopher Hinkson decided in favour of the Harm Reduction Nurses Association and imposed a temporary injunction until March 31, pending a constitutional challenge.

He said “irreparable harm will be caused” if the laws come into force.

The government has said it will review the court decision and consider next steps.

The Canadian Press contributed to this report.