The Conservative Party of B.C. is calling for a public inquiry after a leaked provincial health ministry document brought to light the trafficking of government “safe supply” drugs.
The document released to the public by the B.C. Conservatives was a presentation developed by the health ministry for law enforcement. It noted that 22,418,000 doses of opioids were prescribed through the province’s “safe supply” program between 2022 and 2024.
The program offers pharmaceutical-grade drugs like opioids as prescriptions for patients who can use them as an alternative to illegal drugs, according to the document.
B.C.’s government started its “safe supply” program in 2020. Approximately half a million pills were released in the first six months, according to the presentation.
The health ministry document noted more than 60 pharmacies were thought to be part of a scheme to traffic the drugs.
“A significant portion of the opioids being freely prescribed by doctors & pharmacists in B.C. are not being consumed by their intended recipients,“ the document said, noting that ”prescribed alternatives are trafficked provincially, nationally and internationally.”
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Conservative MLA and Opposition Critic for Solicitor General and Public Safety Elenore Sturko said the document is grounds for a public inquiry.
“Since I raised this issue in early 2023, David Eby, his ministers, and the Public Health Officer have denied and downplayed the extent of ’safe supply’ diversion,” Sturko said.
She called it a “betrayal of public trust.”
B.C. Health Minister Josie Osborne confirmed to reporters on Feb. 5 that the document was valid. She said it was “disappointing” it had been leaked because it could compromise the investigation.
“I want to acknowledge that we know that this is happening. These allegations are here. There’s absolutely no denial of it,” she said. “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.”
Osborne also said those involved in the scheme were “a very small proportion” of pharmacies in the province.
Pharmacies claim about $11,000 in dispensing fees per year, per patient, according to the document. It noted that some pharmacies are using the money to pay incentives to clients.
It is believed that those involved include assisted living residences, doctors, pharmacies, and gangs who are facilitating the drug diversion, the document said.
The federal Conservatives have also weighed in, saying the document shows the “safe supply” program is “a disaster.”
They also said it was not only a B.C. problem.
“In Ontario, the Waterloo Regional Police Service and Niagara Regional Police Service revealed that since 2019, hydromorphone seizures have exploded by 1,090 percent and 1,577 percent, respectively,” Conservatives said in Feb. 6 news release.
Police in London, Ont., have also raised concerns about the trafficking of “safe supply.”
In December, the B.C. College of Pharmacists suspended Geoffrey Kyle Soo Chan for dispensing 28,404 doses of naloxone nasal spray to one individual.
The individual allegedly said he was acting as a representative for 301 other patients. The prescriptions were given out between Jan. 1 and Aug. 31, 2021.
Border Drug Problem
The document’s release comes as the United States has threatened tariffs unless Canada tightens its border and stops the flow of drugs and illegal immigration.
President Donald Trump has paused a plan to put a 25 percent tariff on Canadian exports for 30 days.
Sturko said Premier David Eby needed to address the issue before the 30 days are up.
“British Columbia was singled out as a source of illegal opioid trafficking by the American President,” she said. “Canada now has a 30-day reprieve from US tariffs to address border security and drug trafficking.”
The Canadian Press contributed to this article.
