In-person addictions specialists at large hospitals and virtual clinical consultation at regional and rural hospitals are just some of the several steps the Health Ministry plans to take amid B.C.含羞草研究社檚 move to ban public drug use.

The Health Ministry is planning to take several actions to combat drug use in hospitals as the premier says the government 含羞草研究社渓eaned too heavily on the idea that public intoxication could have been used as a tool含羞草研究社� in decriminalization.

On Friday (April 26), Premier David Eby announced his government含羞草研究社檚 plan to ban drug use in public places 含羞草研究社� with use in hospitals being specifically highlighted after months of pushback, most notably from B.C. United.

Part of this move, he said, was 含羞草研究社渢he quickly escalating situation on the ground, particularly in relation to hospitals, and use in restaurants, where it became clear that even the authorities that we含羞草研究社檇 attempted to impose at the provincial provincial level would have to be expanded further.含羞草研究社�

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Health Minister Adrian Dix said these changes are critical.

含羞草研究社淲e含羞草研究社檙e going to change what含羞草研究社檚 clear in the hospital, that everyone who comes to the hospital needs to know that there is a prohibition on the on the use of illicit substances,含羞草研究社� he said.

含羞草研究社淲e know that many people will come to the hospital dealing with serious addictions, and they need to deal with addictions under the direction of medical supervision of health professionals, doctors and others.含羞草研究社�

The government has listed seven actions the Health Ministry plans to take 含羞草研究社渢o make hospitals safer and better manage addictions for patients,含羞草研究社� but staff will not be searching people for drugs. That includes:

含羞草研究社� Take consistent action across B.C. to prohibit drug possession, use and purchasing of illicit drugs in hospitals or hospital sites

含羞草研究社� Improve how patients with substance- or opioid-use illnesses are supported toward treatment and recovery services

含羞草研究社� Add in-person addiction specialists to large hospitals and virtual clinical consultation in smaller regional and rural hospitals

含羞草研究社� Remain focused on a culturally safe approach to implementing change

含羞草研究社� Actively address unacceptable behavious such as aggression, non-compliance with policy and drug dealing in hospitals through additional security

含羞草研究社� Introduce improved education and awareness efforts to better equip and support staff facing unsafe situations

含羞草研究社� Ensure existing overdose prevention sites are working for people

But the Hospital Employees含羞草研究社� Union is calling for the government to scale up the seven actions as quickly as possible.

含羞草研究社淭hrough the Minister含羞草研究社檚 task force on drug use in health care, we will continue working with health employers and the government to implement the necessary solutions that best respond to the ever-evolving challenges of the toxic-drug crisis,含羞草研究社� spokesperson Lynn Bueckert said.