Vancouver launches opioid emergency task force

Vancouver has launched its opioid emergency task force to gather recommendations on how to deal with the ongoing crisis.

The task force, which includes health experts, Indigenous leaders and people with experience, was approved unanimously by city council Nov. 14. and launched Tuesday.

Mayor Kennedy Stewart says the group will “rapidly” gather the best recommendations from experts on the front lines of this crisis.

“More than 30 people every month are dying. These are our friends and neighbours, and we must take action immediately,” he said in a statement.

Stewart has invited each member of the community action team to participate in the task force by asking them to identify their top five recommendations for action. A survey asking for recommendations will be distributed and a final report will be presented to council Dec. 18 with action that can be implemented under the city’s jurisdiction and authority.

Dr. Patricia Daly, chief health officer for Vancouver Coastal Health and a community action team member, says Vancouver has the highest rate of overdose deaths in B.C. She says while many deaths have been prevented, more work is needed.

Another community action team member, Sarah Blyth, says workers and activists on the front lines of the opioid crisis have valuable knowledge and experience about how Vancouver can take immediate steps to save lives.

In addition to staff time, up to $10,000 from the mayor’s-office budget will used to support the task force.

The province continues to be gripped by an opioid crisis that has killed more than 3,500 people since January 2016.