Many British Columbians remain concerned about the use of prescription and non-prescription opioids in their communities, according to a poll conducted by Research Co. .“More than half of British Columbians who voted for the BC Liberals in 2020 (55%) agree with safe supply programs,” said Research Co President Mario Canseco in a press release. .“The level of support is higher among those who cast ballots for the BC NDP (68%) or the BC Green Party (73%) in the last provincial election.”.The poll said 61% of British Columbians describe the situation as a major problem — down three points since a similar poll was conducted in 2018. .It said 56% of British Columbians think Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Canadian government have done a bad or very bad job coming up with solutions to deal with the use of prescription and non-prescription opioids. .Pluralities of British Columbians are dissatisfied with how their MP (48%), Premier David Eby and the provincial government (45%), their mayors and city councils (44%), and their MLA (43%) have handled this issue. .The poll found more than two-thirds of British Columbians support three ideas to address the opioid crisis: Creating more spaces for drug rehabilitation (81%), launching more education and awareness campaigns about drug use (76%), and reducing the prescription of opioids by medical professionals (69%)..Most British Columbians are in agreement on establishing safe supply programs where alternatives can be prescribed by health professionals (63%) and setting up more harm reduction strategies such as safe consumption sites (58%). Fewer residents are in favour of decriminalizing all drugs for personal use (40%). .The poll went on to say 36% say they know a person in their community who has used opioids in the last year — including a friend or member of their extended family (17%); a person who they know from work, school, neighbourhood, or place of worship (13%); or a family or household member (12%). .One-fifth know a person who died after using opioids — a proportion which rises to 27% in the Fraser Valley and one-quarter in northern and southern BC. .More than 11,000 British Columbians have died due to toxic illicit drugs since a public health emergency was declared in 2016 as of January, making it the leading cause of unnatural deaths in the province. .The death rate was 47 per 100,000 people. That is more than double the 20.5 rate in 2016. .The Vancouver Coastal Health Region has recorded the majority of deaths, but Fraser Valley is close behind. .British Columbia decriminalized personal possession of various illicit drugs for three years effective January. .READ MORE: 'Twas the night before drug possession is decriminalized in BC.British Columbians can carry up to 2.5 grams of opioids, methamphetamine, cocaine, and more without fearing criminal penalties..The exemption was granted under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act and will be in effect from Jan. 31, 2023 to Jan. 31, 2026 throughout the entire province..The poll was conducted online from May 17 to 19 among a representative randomized sample of 800 British Columbian adults. It has a margin of error of +/- 3.5 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
