The former chief coroner of British Columbia criticizes the provincial government for ignoring expert advice on preventing overdoses by dismissing recommendations for a safe drug supply.
Lisa Lapointe, who served as chief coroner, testified in a court case involving Jeremy Kalicum and Eris Nyx, founders of DULF, a compassion club that provided tested heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamine. Despite three expert panels investigating the overdose crisis since 2017, the government did not act on recommendations to establish a safe drug supply.
Kalicum and Nyx’s lawyers argue that shutting down the compassion club violated the Charter rights of individuals seeking access to safer, tested drugs instead of those obtained illegally.
Lapointe highlighted that recent panel reports suggested a non-medical model for drug provision without prescriptions, similar to the approach taken by DULF. However, the government’s response focused on expanding prescription-based safer supply programs without addressing the broader recommendations for a safer drug supply.
Having retired after 13 years in her role, Lapointe expressed disappointment in learning during a news conference that the government had already dismissed the idea of a non-medical drug supply model.