Special Investigation

admin May 15, 2023

By Tom Eley and Clarissa Kurniawan The stories that include fentanyl usually consist of death, overdose and danger, always painting the bleak landscape that this drug has facilitated. This is not that story. Kevin Parker, who has been clean from all substances for 14 years, said that his recovery journey would likely be for the rest of…

Despite city’s recent improvement, Richmond residents still worry about ‘problem intersection’

admin Apr 12, 2023

Byline: Shashi Goel Despite recent changes by city hall, a particularly tricky intersection in Richmond is creating confusion and fear for pedestrians, drivers and cyclists. Richmond Resident Lawrence Ho said he has been driving for a…

Special Investigation

Party and play pose fentanyl risk

admin Apr 6, 2023

By River Kero For members of the queer community, fentanyl can pose a specific and dangerous problem with a lot of stigma. Sexualized drug use — otherwise known as “party and play” or “PnP” — is a phenomenon that is associated with…

Special Investigation

The life and crimes of Abd’l-Malik Rhyan Loubissi-Morris

admin Apr 6, 2023

By Hannah Mondiwa Last month, high-level fentanyl trafficker Abd’l-Malik Rhyan Loubissi-Morris was sentenced in a Kelowna courtroom to 11 years in jail by Justice Steven Wilson. But it was not his first time before a B.C. judge.…

Special Investigation

Youth take the lead on fentanyl education in school

admin Apr 6, 2023

By Sarah Amy Leung Eight years into B.C.’s toxic drug crisis, a youth-led organization is stepping up to inform students about overdose prevention and the dangers of fentanyl. Chloe Goodison, a current health sciences student at SFU,…

Special Investigation

Fentanyl still a valuable painkiller, medical professionals say

admin Apr 6, 2023

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…

Special Investigation

Test strips can detect fentanyl in street drugs in minutes

admin Apr 6, 2023

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…

Special Investigation

Most fentanyl dealers sentenced in B.C. courts are low-level

admin Apr 6, 2023

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…

Special Investigation

Long-time cannabis advocate now hoping to get other drugs legalized

admin Apr 6, 2023

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…

Special Investigation

Families touched by fentanyl crisis say media has created stigma

admin Apr 6, 2023

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…