December 09, 2021 B.C. records deadliest month for opioid overdose deaths as public health emergency worsens – SFU experts available October was the deadliest month ever for suspected illicit drug toxicity deaths in British Columbia, the BC Coroners Service announced today.
Chief coroner Lisa Lapointe said 201 people died from overdoses in October. In total, 1,782 people have died of suspected illicit drug toxicity deaths from January to October of this year, making 2021 the deadliest year on record for overdose deaths. SFU experts are available to speak to the province’s worsening public health emergency and what needs to change.
December 02, 2021 SFU study marks stunning rise of people with mental health and substance use disorders in B.C. prisons The prevalence of people in British Columbia prisons with co-occurring mental health needs and substance use disorders increased dramatically in less than a decade, according to a new Simon Fraser University study.
The study, published in the journal Psychiatric Services, found that people who suffer from both conditions made up 32 per cent of the prison population in 2017, up from 15 per cent in 2009.
November 22, 2021 What now? Climate justice advocates share how to take action post-COP26 Climate justice advocates urge people to get involved in grassroots movements and take climate action into their own hands, in response to lackluster international agreements at the recent COP26 climate summit and catastrophic flooding in B.C.
The post-COP26 landscape will be laid out at Hope in Resistance: Stories of Climate Justice, the keynote event of Towards Equity, SFU Public Square’s 2021 Community Summit Series on Thursday, Nov. 25.
November 17, 2021 Natural disasters and supply chain issues in Canada – SFU experts available Floods and mudslides have resulted in the closure of major highways in the western Canadian province of British Columbia, leading to delays in transportation, deliveries and other supply chain issues. The following Simon Fraser University experts are available to speak on the effects of natural disasters on supply chains and the economic impact.
November 15, 2021 B.C. storm watch – SFU experts available Historic rainfall levels over the weekend led to flooding and dangerous mudslides in parts of B.C., resulting in drivers trapped on highways and evacuation threats and alerts. The situation continues with more rain and high winds expected throughout the day.
The following SFU experts are available to speak on inclement weather this fall and winter and the impact it has on the residents of Metro Vancouver and B.C.
November 08, 2021 Seniors struggled bridging digital divide in B.C.’s vaccine card rollout The findings of a rapid evaluation project from Simon Fraser University’s Science and Technology for Aging Researching (STAR) Institute and 411 Seniors Centre Society suggest the B.C. government didn’t do enough consultation and provide enough support for seniors and older adults when it announced the BC Vaccine Card, a primarily digital proof-of-vaccination system, in September.
November 02, 2021 Childcare educators, mothers felt 'left hanging', undervalued during pandemic, SFU study finds Childcare must be prioritized in future pandemic response plans to address gender inequality, quality of care and burnout, according to a Simon Fraser University researcher who tracked the lived experiences of childcare educators during the COVID-19 pandemic.
A new study published in the journal Gender, Work & Organization, led by SFU health sciences research associate Julia Smith, paints a chaotic picture of childcare educators navigating through fear and anxiety, unclear public health directives and feeling undervalued and more at risk compared to other essential workers.
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