street drugs

More than 40 people gathered at the Vernon cenotaph to form a talking circle on International Overdose Awareness Day. People in the circle took turns saying the names of lost loved ones, reading statements or initiating a moment of silence Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023. (Brendan Shykora - Morning Star)

Conversation key to curbing overdose deaths: Vernon councillor

Roughly 50 people formed a ‘talking circle’ in Vernon to mark Overdose Awareness Day

 

Vernon saw 513 calls for overdose and drug poisoning in 2022, according to BC Emergency Health Services data. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Talking circle, film mark Overdose Awareness Day in North Okanagan

A chance to remember lost loved ones will take place at Cenotaph Park, followed by a film screening at the Towne Theatre

 

Six men were charged in relation to a large-scale drug lab bust in Lumby in 2018. (RCMP photo)

Large Lumby drug lab leads to 11 years jail for 2 men

Trent Fussi and Robyn Bryson are among six people to be sentenced after the lab was busted in 2018

 

Since 2017, 21 local residents have died of overdose. Photo Canadian Press

Two Princeton residents dead of drug overdoses so far this year

Last month there were 6.1 drug-related deaths per day in the province.

Since 2017, 21 local residents have died of overdose. Photo Canadian Press
A GoFundMe campaign was set up for 21-year-old Colin-Dube Wheat in the wake of a July 14 stabbing in downtown Campbell River left the father with serious injuries. Now the organizers are offering refunds after he was stabbed again. Photo from Facebook.

GoFundMe organizers offer refunds after B.C. victim stabbed again

Police label second attack as ‘attempted murder’

A GoFundMe campaign was set up for 21-year-old Colin-Dube Wheat in the wake of a July 14 stabbing in downtown Campbell River left the father with serious injuries. Now the organizers are offering refunds after he was stabbed again. Photo from Facebook.
The Special Response Team within the Langley RCMP announced the seizure of $618,000 in drugs, as well as a vehicle, jewelry and cash. The seizure was made July 19, 2023. (Langley RCMP)

Police find $618K worth of drugs on Lower Mainland acreage

Langley RCMP’s Special Response Team executed a search warrant Wednesday, July 19

The Special Response Team within the Langley RCMP announced the seizure of $618,000 in drugs, as well as a vehicle, jewelry and cash. The seizure was made July 19, 2023. (Langley RCMP)
Administering naloxone to a person experiencing a benzo-related overdose event won’t help. Naloxone is used to neutralize opioids. (Jenna Hauck/The Progress file photo)

Toxic drug alert issued in Vernon

A light purple and pink substance has been found to contain fentanyl and benzodiazepines

Administering naloxone to a person experiencing a benzo-related overdose event won’t help. Naloxone is used to neutralize opioids. (Jenna Hauck/The Progress file photo)
Approximately 1.5 kilograms of suspected cocaine, and two kilograms of suspected methamphetamine were seized by Kelowna RCMP following a stabbing on Canada Day. (RCMP)

Drugs and $33K in cash seized after Canada Day stabbing in Kelowna

Several charges are being prepared to be submitted to the BC Prosecution Service

Approximately 1.5 kilograms of suspected cocaine, and two kilograms of suspected methamphetamine were seized by Kelowna RCMP following a stabbing on Canada Day. (RCMP)
Premier David Eby confirmed that the province is working on province-wide legislation that would support municipalities looking into banning drug use in public parks. (Photo: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)

Law helping B.C. municipalities control drug use in parks coming soon: Eby

Legislation expected to be tabled in the fall, says premier

Premier David Eby confirmed that the province is working on province-wide legislation that would support municipalities looking into banning drug use in public parks. (Photo: THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito)
RCMP Proactive Enforcement Team members with the newly formed Strike Force unit seized 90.3 grams of cocaine, 28.7 grams of fentanyl, 124 pills of Dilauded with 56 unknown yellow pills and a large sum of Canadian currency during a traffic stop on June 2, 2023. (Kelowna RCMP/Submitted)

‘This kind of behaviour will not be tolerated’: Kelowna RCMP make another drug bust

Officer detected strong odor of cannabis after making traffic stop

RCMP Proactive Enforcement Team members with the newly formed Strike Force unit seized 90.3 grams of cocaine, 28.7 grams of fentanyl, 124 pills of Dilauded with 56 unknown yellow pills and a large sum of Canadian currency during a traffic stop on June 2, 2023. (Kelowna RCMP/Submitted)
Blue chunks sold as 'down' or 'dope' in Penticton carry a high risk of overdose and fatal overdose Interior Health is warning. (IH)

Dangerous drug alert for high risk of overdose and death in Penticton

The drugs tested were over 50% fentanyl

Blue chunks sold as 'down' or 'dope' in Penticton carry a high risk of overdose and fatal overdose Interior Health is warning. (IH)
An alleged drug operation was being run out of a Dilworth Mountain home at 2308 Lillooet Crescent. (Google Maps)

Lawyers for alleged Kelowna drug traffickers claim rights breached during search warrant

The defence is alleging that RCMP committed 3 violations of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms

An alleged drug operation was being run out of a Dilworth Mountain home at 2308 Lillooet Crescent. (Google Maps)
North Cowichan councillors Bruce Findlay and Tek Manhas spent several hours set up in front of Island Health’s Overdose Prevention Site on York Road drinking beer in public on April 25 to draw attention to their concerns that consuming hard drugs in public is no longer illegal. (Robert Barron/Citizen)

B.C. councillors drink beer from lawn chairs on a public sidewalk to make a point

North Cowichan’s Bruce Findlay and Tek Manhas sip suds to protest open use of hard drugs

North Cowichan councillors Bruce Findlay and Tek Manhas spent several hours set up in front of Island Health’s Overdose Prevention Site on York Road drinking beer in public on April 25 to draw attention to their concerns that consuming hard drugs in public is no longer illegal. (Robert Barron/Citizen)
Interior Health has issued a drug alert for Kelowna. (Interior Health)

Drug alert issued for Kelowna

A light blue powder going around is more than 60 per cent fentanyl

Interior Health has issued a drug alert for Kelowna. (Interior Health)
(Shane MacKichan photo) (Shane MacKichan photo)

Big time B.C. drug trafficker sentenced in Kelowna to 7 more years

Abd’l Malik Loubissi-Morris was previously involved in a drive-by shooting

(Shane MacKichan photo) (Shane MacKichan photo)
The City of Campbell River City Hall. Campbell River Mirror photo

Island city’s bylaw banning public drug consumption challenged in court

Petition filed by Pivot Legal Society in B.C. Supreme Court

The City of Campbell River City Hall. Campbell River Mirror photo
A person in Nelson holds a bag with 2.5 grams of methamphetamine. Possession of that amount of certain types of drugs, including meth, was decriminalized in B.C. as of Jan. 31. (Tyler Harper/Black Press)

‘People are still going to die’: Kelowna advocate speaks out on drug decriminalization

Decriminalization will free up the court systems to deal with ‘bigger fish’, said Angie Lohr

A person in Nelson holds a bag with 2.5 grams of methamphetamine. Possession of that amount of certain types of drugs, including meth, was decriminalized in B.C. as of Jan. 31. (Tyler Harper/Black Press)
The Vernon North Okanagan RCMP found illicit drugs after conducting a search warrant at an Enderby home Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023. (Phil McLachlan/Capital News/Stock)

Police seize fentanyl, other illegal drugs from North Okanagan home

Randall George William was arrested on drug trafficking charges

The Vernon North Okanagan RCMP found illicit drugs after conducting a search warrant at an Enderby home Wednesday, Feb. 1, 2023. (Phil McLachlan/Capital News/Stock)
Drug paraphernalia and garbage plague the downtown Vernon Swan Brook Estates complex. (Contributed)

2 fires in 2 weeks at downtown Vernon apartment

Residents tired of homeless lighting fires, doing drugs, leaving garbage

Drug paraphernalia and garbage plague the downtown Vernon Swan Brook Estates complex. (Contributed)
Four needles were stashed inside a hole in a play structure at Maven Lane and discovered by children at the daycare Jan. 6. (Maven Lane photos)

Children poked by needles in Vernon daycare playground

Stash of drug paraphernalia discovered by kids, despite safety checks

Four needles were stashed inside a hole in a play structure at Maven Lane and discovered by children at the daycare Jan. 6. (Maven Lane photos)