B.C. overhauls its safe supply program to a witness model

The B.C. government announced on Wednesday it is overhauling its safe supply program to make sure prescribed medications are being used by the people they are intended for.

Health Minister Josie Osborne said the province knows people have benefited from prescribed alternatives such as hydromorphone, which were first introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“At the same time, we’ve heard concerns about these medications being diverted and ending up in the wrong hands,” she said.

Earlier this month, the BC Conservatives leaked a briefing unit from the Ministry of Health that had been provided by the police, which showed the ministry had been investigating an alleged scheme involving “incentives” paid by dozens of pharmacies to patients, doctors and housing providers.

“I want to acknowledge that we know that this is happening,” Osbourne said previously of opioid diversion. “These allegations are here. There’s absolutely no denial of it. There’s no diminishing of it, and there should be no acceptance of it. That’s why we’re taking the actions that we are.”

Osbourne announced on Wednesday that the take-home safe supply program is changing to a witnessed model, so users will have to be watched by health professionals as they consume drugs.

Osbourne said this requirement will be implemented immediately for new patients.

The province will work with clinicians to transition existing patients to witnessed consumption as soon as possible, while ensuring continuity of care.

In a statement, Jeremy Valeriote, interim leader of the BC Greens and MLA for West Vancouver-Sea to Sky, said they are disappointed by Osbourne’s decision to move to this model.

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“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,” he said.

“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.”

Valeriote went on to say that there was a lack of clarity around the consultation process and they have yet to see a report demonstrating widespread diversion.

“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.”

-More to come