VICTORIA, B.C. – Statement from Jeremy Valeriote, Interim Leader of the BC Greens and MLA for West Vancouver-Sea to Sky, on the Minister of Health’s decision to restructure access to prescribed pharmaceutical alternatives:
“We are disappointed by the Minister’s decision to move to a witnessed consumption model. While we recognize concerns about diversion, this approach raises serious questions about effectiveness and unintended consequences.
“For people trying to maintain employment, care for their families, or simply live their lives, the requirement to visit a pharmacy multiple times a day is untenable. Instead of maintaining access to life-saving medication, this change risks pushing individuals back to the illicit supply chain, increasing overdose risks, and worsening the crisis the BC NDP is trying to address.
“There is a troubling lack of clarity around the consultation process. Key health experts, such as the Provincial Health Officer, were not engaged in these discussions. Credible public health policy must be based on reliable evidence and informed by health experts.
“We have yet to see a report demonstrating widespread diversion. Without transparency on this, how can we justify such a restrictive policy?
“If this government truly wants to address the illicit-toxic drug crisis, it must focus on the real causes: unregulated toxic substances and lack of access to physical and mental health care, not punitive restrictions that will only lead to more harm.
“Restricting access to regulated pharmaceuticals will not stop people from using drugs; it will simply push them toward far more dangerous options. The more we focus on distractions instead of addressing the root causes of this crisis, the more lives we will lose. This government has a responsibility to protect public health, and this policy risks doing the opposite.”
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Media contact
JoJo Beattie
Press Secretary
B.C. Green Caucus
+1 250-882-6187 | jojo.beattie@leg.bc.ca
