The Big Story How B.C. got safer supply wrong
Feb 25, 2025
In this conversation, Julian Somers, a clinical psychologist and distinguished professor at Simon Fraser University, dives into B.C.'s troubled safer supply drug policy. He discusses the new requirement for supervised consumption due to rampant misuse, highlighting the ongoing overdose crisis. Somers critically examines the effectiveness of the safer supply model and urges a reevaluation of accountability in government policies. He also emphasizes the need for demand-focused strategies that address the root causes of addiction and supports recovery-oriented approaches.
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
Supervised Model Change
- BC's Safer Supply program's supervised model change is symbolically important but doesn't fully address the underlying issues.
- The program has coincided with rising overdose deaths, youth drug poisoning, and other unmet needs like unemployment and inadequate housing.
Lack of Exit Strategy
- The Safer Supply program lacks an exit strategy for engaging drug users in support and rehabilitation.
- Focusing on tweaking drug supply overlooks the well-established link between unmet needs and addiction risk.
Vancouver Compassion Club Example
- In a Vancouver Compassion Club model, 47% of drug recipients experienced a poisoning episode within months.
- This highlights the danger of the drugs being supplied.