Vancouver Mayor Kennedy Stewart says he will ask the federal government to approve a plan to decriminalize simple possession of illicit drugs in the city. If successful, Vancouver will become the first jurisdiction in Canada to decriminalize simple possession. Paramedics and first responders work to save a person suspected of having a drug overdose. (Ben Nelms/CBC)"It's really crucial that in the midst of responding to pandemic, we must respond to the worsening opioid overdose crisis," Daly said. Daly said the number of opioid overdose deaths in Vancouver this year is double the number of COVID-19 deaths.

Source: CBC News November 18, 2020 17:30 UTC