B.C. Premier David Eby has ordered a review of drug vending machines dispensing free drug paraphernalia outside several hospitals in the province.
Speaking at an unrelated news conference on Tuesday, Eby said he had ordered Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, Jennifer Whiteside, to review any drug distribution methods that don’t involve direct contact between the provider and recipient.
“I think that where there are concerns that have been raised, it’s about access to different types of paraphernalia that is disconnected from contacting a medical health professional or a trained person working in a facility that can provide that support,” said Eby. “And that’s what I’ve asked the Minister of Mental Health and Addiction to have a look at, to make sure that we’re meeting that expectation that I have and that I think every British Columbian has.”
The premier added that the review would also include the Fraser Health Authority, which had been delivering drug supplies such as pipes, smoking kits, and syringes to British Columbians’ doors free of charge. The online portal has since been changed and only offers naloxone kits and fentanyl screening strip kits.
Former MLA and current B.C. Conservative candidate for the Nanaimo—Lantzville riding Gwen O’Mahony posted a video of herself accessing one of the machines on Monday. Within seconds, she received a “snorting kit,” which included three paper straws and six alcohol swabs.
The kiosk from which she ordered also provided an informational video on how to snort cocaine.
O’Mahony also received a crack inhalation kit.
“Unfortunately, the crack pipes were out, which is no surprise because crack pipes can be traded for drugs. All of these items you can get for free at a vending machine located just directly over there outside of the Nanaimo Hospital Emergency Room,” said O’Mahony. “The sound of children playing in background as I shoot this video… Yet another example of enabling addiction instead of offering treatment.”
The day following O’Mahony’s video release, she and B.C. Conservative Party leader John Rustad issued a joint statement condemning the machines.
“It is appalling and irresponsible to have a vending machine handing out drug paraphernalia right outside a hospital, where people are supposed to be seeking help for their health, not engaging in self-destructive behaviour,” said Rustad.
Island Health issued a press release announcing their vending machines on Oct. 18, 2023. The release said that kiosks would be located outside the emergency departments at North Island Hospital – Campbell River, Nanaimo Regional General Hospital, and Victoria General Hospital.
The machines were said to electronically dispense condoms, wound care supplies, naloxone kits, take-home drug testing strips, syringes, and safe disposal containers.
“The kiosks are an alternative for people who currently visit emergency departments seeking harm reduction supplies and services, and the supplies offered through the kiosks are those most commonly requested from the emergency department,” reads the release.
True North reached out to Eby, Whiteside, and Island Health for comment but received no reply.