fentanyl

The Supreme Court of Canada is seen at sunset in Ottawa, Tuesday September 1, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld

Supreme Court to examine minimum sentences for fentanyl trafficking

The high court has agreed to jointly hear the appeals of two men who received stiffer penalties

The Supreme Court of Canada is seen at sunset in Ottawa, Tuesday September 1, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Adrian Wyld
Saanich police arrested two men and seized various illicit items during a search on Aug. 28. (Photo courtesy the Saanich Police Department)
Saanich police arrested two men and seized various illicit items during a search on Aug. 28. (Photo courtesy the Saanich Police Department)
Nanaimo Courthouse. (News Bulletin file photo)
Nanaimo Courthouse. (News Bulletin file photo)
Fentanyl was among the drugs seized from a suite in Victoria after VicPD’s Strike Force officers executed search warrants at three Greater Victoria locations. (Black Press Media file photo)

Sidney business may have been used as ‘sophisticated drug production site’

Firearm, fentanyl, cocaine and cash seized from three Greater Victoria locations

Fentanyl was among the drugs seized from a suite in Victoria after VicPD’s Strike Force officers executed search warrants at three Greater Victoria locations. (Black Press Media file photo)
A Raman spectroscopy will help detect trace amounts of fillers in drugs, including fentanyl (Nicole Crescenzi/News Staff)

UVic partners with harm reduction groups to run a drug checking pilot project

The three-year pilot will allow people to test their drugs for fatal ingredients like fentanyl

A Raman spectroscopy will help detect trace amounts of fillers in drugs, including fentanyl (Nicole Crescenzi/News Staff)
Victoria man Rande Michael Brown has been convicted on three counts of possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking (Keri Coles/News Staff)
Victoria man Rande Michael Brown has been convicted on three counts of possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking (Keri Coles/News Staff)
The BC Nurses Union wants the federal government to decriminalize opioids. As front line workers, like paramedics and firefighters, they see the effects illicit drugs are having on a growing number of people. File photo.

BC Nurses Union calls for decriminalization of opioids

BCNU president wants the federal government to do more to reduce preventable deaths

The BC Nurses Union wants the federal government to decriminalize opioids. As front line workers, like paramedics and firefighters, they see the effects illicit drugs are having on a growing number of people. File photo.
Lillian Gauthier is a PCP IV paramedic who will be stationed full time at the Pandora Supervised Consumption Centre. From her view at her desk, she can see everything that’s going on. Nicole Crescenzi/VICTORIA NEWS

Vancouver Island’s largest supervised consumption site to open Monday

The Pandora location will be open 13 hours a day, 356 days per year

Lillian Gauthier is a PCP IV paramedic who will be stationed full time at the Pandora Supervised Consumption Centre. From her view at her desk, she can see everything that’s going on. Nicole Crescenzi/VICTORIA NEWS
Naloxone is a medication used to block the effects of opioids, especially in an overdose.

Sudden rise in overdose calls exhausts Victoria police officers’ naloxone supplies

Five overdose calls resulting in one death exhaust Victoria Police department’s naloxone supply

Naloxone is a medication used to block the effects of opioids, especially in an overdose.
Fentanyl pills seized by police in Alberta. (RCMP)

B.C. moves to restrict pill presses in opioid battle

Minister Mike Farnworth says federal law doesn’t go far enough

Fentanyl pills seized by police in Alberta. (RCMP)
Drugs, knives, cash seized by Victoria Police at downtown address

Drugs, knives, cash seized by Victoria Police at downtown address

A man and woman are in custody, facing nine charges

Drugs, knives, cash seized by Victoria Police at downtown address
Anna Kebaien, who serves as a liaison to the outreach team at Our Place Society, demonstrates how to use a fentanyl test strip at the facility’s onsite overdose prevention site. Kristyn Anthony/VICTORIA NEWS

Fentanyl test strips now available on the Island

Program piloted in Vancouver, resulted in reduction in overdoses

Anna Kebaien, who serves as a liaison to the outreach team at Our Place Society, demonstrates how to use a fentanyl test strip at the facility’s onsite overdose prevention site. Kristyn Anthony/VICTORIA NEWS
Police seized cocained and other drugs in a bust of an individual suspected of selling drugs from a home next to a daycare and near Quadra elementary school. File photo

Two up on drug charges, dealing suspected beside Victoria daycare

Cocaine, crystal meth, fentanyl-laced heroin seized, plus cash

Police seized cocained and other drugs in a bust of an individual suspected of selling drugs from a home next to a daycare and near Quadra elementary school. File photo
Two men remain in custody, after being arrested last week on suspicion of trafficking fentanyl and cocaine. The drugs were believed to be headed for downtown Victoria. (News files)

Fentanyl seized in bust ‘enough to kill 125,000 people:’ VicPD

Suspected dealers came from mainland on ferry; arrest made after weeks of investigation

Two men remain in custody, after being arrested last week on suspicion of trafficking fentanyl and cocaine. The drugs were believed to be headed for downtown Victoria. (News files)
Victoria police arrested an alleged fentanyl drug trafficker who was residing beside a daycare. (Lauren Boothby/VICTORIA NEWS)

Suspected fentanyl dealer arrested, was living next door to daycare in Victoria

Cybercrime trend, stabbings and armed robberies: VicPD chief’s quarterly report

Victoria police arrested an alleged fentanyl drug trafficker who was residing beside a daycare. (Lauren Boothby/VICTORIA NEWS)
Victoria police officers execute a search warrant on a suspected fentanyl dealer’s residence in part 4 of VicPD’s Fighting Fentanyl series, Executing the Warrant. YouTube

VICPD COLUMN: Fentanyl series shows behind-the-scenes fight

Video series offers glimpse into enforcement efforts relating to deadly drug

  • Sep 13, 2017
Victoria police officers execute a search warrant on a suspected fentanyl dealer’s residence in part 4 of VicPD’s Fighting Fentanyl series, Executing the Warrant. YouTube
VicPD fentanyl series: Executing the Warrant

VicPD fentanyl series: Executing the Warrant

Police take viewers behind the scenes with the Greater Victoria Emergency Response Team

  • Sep 12, 2017
VicPD fentanyl series: Executing the Warrant
Fentanyl seized at a recent bust by the Ridge Meadows RCMP. (Colleen Flanagan/THE NEWS)

Fentanyl-linked overdose deaths soar in B.C.

The opioid was the cause of 81 per cent of the 876 deaths so far this year in the province

Fentanyl seized at a recent bust by the Ridge Meadows RCMP. (Colleen Flanagan/THE NEWS)
Victoria police Const. Matt Rutherford, left, and Staff Sgt. Conor King appear in the latest episode of Fighting Fentanyl, Vic PD’s Eyes on Target. Courtesy VicPD

Victoria police release Episode 3 in Fighting Fentanyl

Video series gives behind the scenes look at local police work

Victoria police Const. Matt Rutherford, left, and Staff Sgt. Conor King appear in the latest episode of Fighting Fentanyl, Vic PD’s Eyes on Target. Courtesy VicPD
Dante Givens of Jurassic 5 performs before thousands at Rifflandia in 2016 at Royal Athletic Park. Island Health, in conjunction with music festival organizers, has released a list of tips for the safe use of drugs for concert goers who choose to use them. Arnold Lim/Black Press

Island Health takes proactive steps to reduce drug overdoses at music festivals

Tips list added to supports already in place by festival organizers

Dante Givens of Jurassic 5 performs before thousands at Rifflandia in 2016 at Royal Athletic Park. Island Health, in conjunction with music festival organizers, has released a list of tips for the safe use of drugs for concert goers who choose to use them. Arnold Lim/Black Press