When it was announced in February by BC Ministry of Health that Powell River was one of 18 communities receiving upwards of $100,000 in funding to fight the overdose epidemic, the cheque did not arrive.
Although identified as having the second highest rate of overdoses and being one of the hardest hit communities in the entire Vancouver Coastal Health (VCH) authority, there was still some paperwork involved.
At the city’s committee of the whole meeting on June 6, councillor Rob Southcott updated council on that process and said confidence is high that Powell River will receive the full grant.
Southcott said that, according to VCH director of special projects Chris Van Veen, who has been facilitating the work of the Powell River Community Action Team dealing with overdoses, because the city is so far ahead in work it has already done in fighting the epidemic, it stands a very good chance of getting the full $100,000.
Meanwhile, on June 6, BC College of Physicians and Surgeons ruled that doctors are required to treat patients with chronic pain with opioids and not limit dosage or refuse patients who are on the drug.
