Overdose Crisis
Local advocate talks dispelling drug stigma
September 12, 2023By: Olivia Sherman, News Writer For Nicole Luongo, substances like alcohol and heroin are only separated by the thin line of what society deems moral or legal. Luongo is a systems change coordinator for the Canadian Drug Policy Coalition (CDPC), which aims to reduce the stigma faced by people who use drugs. Luongo, who has an MA in sociology from the University of British Columbia, focuses on “medical sociology,” or “the medicalization of deviant behaviours.” She explained in an interview with The Peak how “behaviours that are seen as anomalous” are often “made medical through policy and law,” and how…
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Call for greater actions on International Overdose Awareness Day
September 19, 2022By: Pranjali J Mann, News Writer International Overdose Awareness Day (IOAD), marked on August 31, recognizes the global effect of drug overdose and commemorates those who lost their lives. The campaign was initiated by Sally J. Finn in Melbourne in…
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BC decriminalizes personal possession of certain illicit drugs
June 21, 2022By: Pranjali J Mann, News Writer Health Canada declared a three year exemption for BC from criminal convictions in case of certain illicit drugs for personal use. The exemption trial will begin January 31, 2023 and last until January 31, 2026.…
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Harm reduction and the overdose crisis in BC
March 18, 2022by Maya Beninteso, Peak Associate For the past two years, BC has been plagued by the COVID-19 pandemic that has resulted in thousands of deaths. However, there are numbers we don’t see often: those of overdose-related deaths. In a faculty…
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Vancouver’s overdose crisis amidst COVID-19
March 6, 2021Written by: Nancy La, SFU Student As vaccinations become available for Vancouver, the grim battle against COVID-19 begins to look more hopeful. The days of self-isolation now have a clearer finish line, and normalcy is coming closer and closer. Yet…
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