The Daily

Vancouver’s Unconventional Approach to Its Fentanyl Crisis

Sep 2, 2022

Stephanie Nolen, a global health reporter for The New York Times, sheds light on Vancouver's bold strategies to combat the fentanyl crisis. She discusses the city's innovative 'safer supply' program, which prescribes fentanyl directly to users, aiming to reduce overdose deaths. Personal stories illustrate how this approach has transformed lives and shifted the conversation around addiction. Nolen emphasizes the need for a compassionate view on drug use and highlights the complexities faced by both individuals and healthcare providers in this ongoing battle.

33:33

Creator website

Episode guests

Stephanie Nolen

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Episode notes

Intro

2min

Vancouver's Innovative Fentanyl Response

15min

Exploring Vancouver's Radical Response to the Fentanyl Crisis

4min

Navigating the Fentanyl Crisis: A Journey Through Addiction and Recovery

11min

Exploring Our Future and the State of Democracy

2min

A Call to Preserve Democracy: Reflections on a National Crisis

2min

An influx of Fentanyl, a highly lethal synthetic narcotic, has aggravated the opioid crisis in the United States and prompted communities to scramble for ways to lower the skyrocketing rates of overdose deaths.

In Vancouver, a Canadian city that has been at the forefront of innovative approaches to drug use, a novel and surprising tactic is being tried: It’s called “safer supply.”

Guest: Stephanie Nolen, a global health reporter for The New York Times.

Background reading:

The mounting toll of overdose deaths has spurred a search for new solutions, and Vancouver has tried more of them, faster, than anywhere else.
Why is fentanyl so deadly? How can you ensure that your loved ones, including your children, stay safe? Experts offer tips to talk about opioids with your family.

For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily. Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.

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