Free harm reduction material removed from Fraser Health website – BC
Earlier this month, Fraser Health launched its new Harm Reduction Online Portal, designed as a shopping platform where people could have medicines delivered to their doorstep for free.
“We have asked Fraser Health to review the site,” BC Premier David Eby said Thursday.
Previously, a long list of items was available, including glass tubes and pipe bowls, smoking kits, tourniquet kits and syringes.
However, on Thursday, the portal only offers two tools: a fentanyl screening test strip kit and a take-home naloxone kit
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Fraser Health said in a statement to Global News: “We have been directed by the province to redesign the website to more clearly highlight how people can access treatment and prevention.”
“This redesign includes a pause in the availability of some harm reduction materials on the online portal.”
Instructional videos on how to use various tools have also been removed.
The site’s redesigned homepage now includes links to resources, support services, and harm reduction treatment options.
“Our government’s focus continues to be on helping people get into treatment and doing our best to keep people alive,” Eby said.
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