Kelowna-Mission MLA Renee Merrifield has accused the NDP of facilitating illicit drug use in B.C. hospitals.
During Question Period in the Legislature Thursday (Apr 11), Merrifield said the provincial governmentsa国际传媒檚 sa国际传媒渄rug decriminalization experimentsa国际传媒 is also putting nurses and patients at risk.
sa国际传媒淥ften those using illicit drugs become volatile and a danger to nurses and fellow patients in shared rooms.sa国际传媒
The matter gained attention over the past few days following a leaked memo that outlined how Northern Health staff should deal with patients who have substance use issues.
The BC Nurses Union (BCNU) has also asked the government to protect its members and patients.
READ MORE: B.C.sa国际传媒檚 nurses support harm reduction, but call for additional safety measures
sa国际传媒淥ur work with the BCNU stands in stark contrast to the work done in the past,sa国际传媒 Health Minister Adrian Dix replied, referring to a previous Liberal provincial government.
Dix said between 2009 and 2016 the Liberals reduced the number of registered and psychiatric nurses in the healthcare system.
He said his ministry is working with the BCNU on security issues.
sa国际传媒淚tsa国际传媒檚 why we restored SwtichBC, (Occupational Health and Safety Agency) that they (Liberals) disbanded, that works to protect nurses in the system.sa国际传媒
Dix added that 320 security officers have been hired within the healthcare system.
sa国际传媒淭hat is precisely what the BCNU asked for.sa国际传媒
Merrifield said BC United has learned that drug consumption and open drug dealing are happening on the rooftop garden at St. Paulsa国际传媒檚 Hospital in Vancouver.
sa国际传媒淎nd, that healthcare professionals are being advised not to report these activities to law enforcement.sa国际传媒
She asked asked Dix to confirm the reports.
sa国际传媒 Nobody, nobody, nobody is constrained from reporting anything to law enforcement,sa国际传媒 Dix replied.
READ MORE: Substance exposure put 36 health workers on WorkSafeBC compensation in 2023