Opioid crisis is devastating communities and families: Trudeau

VANCOUVER — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says the opioid crisis is devastating communities and families across Canada.

After going on a ride-along today with Vancouver police in the city’s Downtown Eastside, Trudeau said the number of drug overdose deaths is particularly high in British Columbia.

He says the government has reintroduced harm reduction as “a pillar of our comprehensive drug strategy” by expanding access to the opioid antidote naloxone.

Ottawa is also trying to streamline the application process for communities that want to open safe consumption sites.