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Special Investigation
Fentanyl still a valuable painkiller, medical professionals say
By Catherine McCallum
Early one spring morning in a quiet neighbourhood, a fire truck followed by an ambulance stops in front of a bungalow.
Soon the fire truck and the ambulance crew leave without a patient. Within an hour, police…
Test strips can detect fentanyl in street drugs in minutes
By Kalvin Moses
Street drugs can be tested in minutes to detect even trace amounts of potentially lethal fentanyl.
There are several different technologies available to test for fentanyl, according to Kevin Hollett, associate director…
Most fentanyl dealers sentenced in B.C. courts are low-level
By Seth Forward and Nick Naylor
Since the first fentanyl trafficker was sentenced in B.C. in 2016, there have been some major change in sentencing trends.
The Voice compiled a data base of 195 sentencing decisions related to fentanyl…
Long-time cannabis advocate now hoping to get other drugs legalized
By Kenneth Wong and Laisa Conde
Stores like Medicinal Mushroom Dispensary, located on East Hastings Street, are openly advertising micro doses of illicit drugs such as magic mushrooms, LSD and coca leaf.
Dana Larsen, director of the…
Families touched by fentanyl crisis say media has created stigma
By Melbah Jacob and Chris Harcourt
Media coverage of the province’s toxic drug crisis has created stigma and focused too narrowly on residents of the Downtown Eastside, say B.C. residents who’ve lost loved ones.
And they say that drug…
Plan to mine the ocean’s floor draws critics and concern
By Marco Shum and Joyce Liew
A controversial Vancouver mining company is diving into the darkest area of the ocean floor for metallic rocks rich in minerals they say will bring a greener future.
However, scientists and the Indigenous…
Cannabis history: How sales have fared since legalization
By Amir Khan
British Columbia’s cannabis sales continue to rise, as law enforcement grapples with the unregulated market.
According to a 2021 report by the Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research (CISUR), December, 2020 saw…
Medical growers driving illicit cannabis production in B.C
By Graham Abraham
The majority of illegal cannabis grow operations in the province are conducted by licenced medical growers producing far over their legal capacity, according to both the RCMP and the B.C. Ministry of Public Safety.
“What…
No plan for platform barriers on SkyTrain despite deaths
By Corvin Vaski
With ridership increasing on the SkyTrain system and soon returning to pre-pandemic levels, how can stations be made safer for everyone?
According to the most recent data from the BC Coroners Service, from 1987 to…
Clothing waste weighs on local environment
By Lesia Pogorelo and Lauren Vanderdeen
Metro Vancouver’s yearly textile waste, such as clothes, towels and sheets, is one-third the weight of the CN Tower.
That’s 40,000 tonnes.
Experts say brands, governments and consumers need…