OP/ED: A sharp rise in cannabis poisonings of young children
By Daniel Myran, Public Health physician, and Yaron Finkelstein, Professor of Pediatrics, Pharmacology and Toxicology When Canada legalized non-medical cannabis four years ago, there was enormous uncertainty about how legalization could impact the health of Canadians. Since then, there has been increasing evidence...
At least 10,000 lives lost to illicit drugs since declaration of public health emergency
At least 1,095 British Columbians are believed to have been lost to the toxic drug supply between January and June 2022, according to preliminary data released by the BC Coroners Service. “The ever-increasing toxicity of the unregulated, illicit drug market is taking a heart-breaking toll on the lives and well-being of members...
OP/ED: Demand the 9-1-1 Service You Deserve
An Open Letter to all British Columbians: As British Columbians, we all rely on certain core services being available at the most critical moments of our lives. Because when they aren’t, an urgent situation can become catastrophic. We are taught from a young age that, when there’s an emergency, we should reach for the nearest...
Seniors Advocate urges seniors and caregivers to prepare for rising temperatures
Hot and dry weather is forecast for many regions of B.C. and rising temperatures may put vulnerable seniors at risk. Currently, forecasted temperatures are not expected to rise to the level of an extreme heat emergency, however, they are forecast to be higher than normal and will create heat wave conditions in certain areas...
Castlegar nurse accepts six-month suspension after faking vaccine cards
The BC College of Nurses and Midwives posted Friday regarding the outcome of an investigation into a Castlegar nurse. "On July 15, 2022 a panel of the Inquiry Committee approved a Consent Agreement between BCCNM and Sarah Jones of Castlegar, to address professional misconduct that occurred in 2021 arising from the use of her...
Almost 200 British Columbians lost to illicit drugs in May
Preliminary reporting released by the BC Coroners Service confirms that toxic illicit drugs claimed the lives of at least 195 British Columbians in May 2022. “After a catastrophic 2021, I am saddened to report that we are, once again, on pace to lose a record number of our community members in 2022,” said Lisa Lapointe, chief...
Main entrance closed for three weeks for renovations at Trail hospital
People who rely on Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital (KBRH) in Trail are advised that the main and emergency department public entrances will be closed for three weeks beginning July 11. Construction crews will be working on enhancing the entrance access to the regional hospital. To allow for the construction, patients and...
New pharmacy, more modernized care spaces open at Trail hospital
A new pharmacy at Kootenay Boundary Regional Hospital is now open, offering enhanced operational efficiency, improved working conditions and modern technology. The new pharmacy provides all pharmacy services for patients while they are in hospital, as well as home IV and oncology pharmacy services for individuals in the...
B.C.’s COVID-19 immunization plan continues with fall boosters
People in B.C. can look ahead to their next COVID-19 vaccine dose with the Province announcing a fall booster program as the next step in its COVID-19 immunization plan. B.C.’s COVID-19 vaccination strategy has helped keep people protected from the severe illness associated with getting this virus. With the fall and winter ...
COLUMN: People suffer while climate disrupters profit
The lineage of our human species has survived for several million years thanks to a wondrous, interconnected evolution of factors resulting in air to breathe, water to drink and plants, fungi, animals and minerals for food, shelter, tools and clothing. For most of that time, our ancestors lived in relative harmony with the ...
