B.C. tightens rules for safe supply program

After pressure form the Opposition, B.C.'s government is tightening rules about how people can take safer supply drugs.

Watch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R5B10EhRuR0

Dec 3, 2025  CTVNews

Transcript: The same day the coroner confirmed 150 people died from toxic drug overdoses in BC in October, the province flushed out details of its next step in battling the crisis.

Josie Osborne, BC Health Minister: "Helping to separate people from the illicit drug supply."

By the end of the month, with limited exceptions, British Columbians using safer supply will have to consume the prescribed alternative to street drugs in front of a pharmacist or nurse.

Josie Osborne, BC Health Minister: "So important to make sure that these medications only land in the hands of those people for whom they are intended."

In February, the province announced the change. At that time, it required new patients in the program to consume their safer supply in front of witness. Today's announcement expands that requirement to existing users. The changes were triggered by a leaked memo confirming widespread trafficking of the prescribed drugs. Use of safer supply has dropped since February.

Elenore Sturko, Surrey-Cloverdale BC MLA (Independent): "The risk posed by diversion has been significant. It has put funds into the hands of gangs and cartels, drug dealers."

BC conservative MLA, Clare Retay is a recovered addict. She doesn't support safer supply, favoring the resources be spent on treatment expansion.

Clare Retay, BC Conservative MLA: "Back when I was struggling with drug addiction, back when I was homeless, if the government was going to pay for my drugs and provide them to me for free, I probably wouldn't be standing before you right now."

But she says if the prescribed alternatives are being provided, the witness component is valuable

Clare Retay, BC Conservative MLA: "To ensure that you know the drugs aren't getting into the wrong hands."

But not all advocates fully support today's news. Some worry the witness component will force certain users to take the more deadly street drugs.

Guy Felicella, Harm Reduction Advocate: "When we put more barriers in place for people who are struggling, it makes it harder for them to even want to access the service."

The province says there will be a few exemptions who don't need witnesses, including in rural areas where a pharmacy isn't open every day as it rolls out its latest plan to combat a health emergency first declared 9 years ago that's claimed more than 16,000 lives.

Mi-Jung Lee, CTV Anchor / Investigative Reporter: "Rob joins us live from Victoria. And Rob, what can you tell us about the allegations of criminal wrongdoing by pharmacies raised back in February?"

Rob Buffam, CTV Reporter: "Well, that's right, Mi-Jung. When this plan was originally announced back in February, the province did say that there was multiple what they called bad actor pharmacies that allegedly were selling safer supply to people who did not have a prescription in order for the pharmacy still ongoing, so we should find out soon. Mi-Jung."

Mi-Jung Lee, CTV Anchor / Investigative Reporter: "Thank you, Rob."