Mental health system could do more to ensure people can access specialized services
Auditor General of British Columbia Carol Bellringer issued her latest audit May 17: Access to Adult Tertiary Mental Health and Substance Use Services. Bellringer's team looked at how B.C.'s health system manages access to the highest level of mental health and substance use services. They found pockets of good practice, but...
Nelson Police urge residents to dispose of unused meds Saturday
Saturday (May 21) is an opportunity for the public to quickly and easily dispose of old and unused prescription medications that you may have in your home said Nelson Police Sgt Dino Falcone said in a media release. "All Pharmacies in the City of Nelson are equipped for residents to drop off medications that they no longer ...
Campaign reminds boaters that alcohol and boating don’t mix
As the first long weekend of the summer season arrives, BC Liquor Stores and The Community Against Preventable Injuries (Preventable) are joining forces to remind British Columbians about how dangerous prevailing attitudes around mixing alcohol with boating can be. A joint campaign will see 15 marina ice coolers in high-traffic...
BIKE TO WORK. BIKE EVERYWHERE!
Kootenays - Calling all cyclists –new and experienced: Bike to Work Week 2016 is approaching! A provincial initiative taking place May 30 to June 5, 2016, Bike to Work Week encourages everyone to commit to commuting to work by bicycle for a week. According to event organizer Mike Kent, “We encourage everyone to join us. ...
BC Coroner releases fatal drug overdose statistics
The BC Coroners Service has posted the most recent statistics on illicit drug overdose deaths in B.C. to its website. The total number of illicit drug overdose deaths in B.C. to April 30, 2016, is 256. This represents an increase of 88.2 per cent from the 136 deaths that occurred in the same period last year. Fentanyl was...
Nurses and health employers ratify agreement
British Columbia’s nurses and health employers have voted in favour of a new five-year agreement that aims to improve health care for patients and families. “The ratification of this agreement is a great example of what can be achieved when we work cooperatively with our health care partners,” Health Minister Terry Lake said....
Council to contemplate ban on smoking in city parks
A Castlegar city councillor is contending that changing social mores and attitudes around smoking are helping to pave the way for a potential new bylaw banning smoking in all city parks. Councillor Florio Vassilakakis said he thinks there is an appetite for this kind of bylaw. “If you had asked me 20 or 25 years ago, I would...
Getting to Silverton and Taking Personal Action Against Climate Change
Some West Kootenay environmentalists have decided to join the audience converging on Silverton, B.C. to attend the Convergence Writers’ Weekend May 13 to 14 without using a fleet of greenhouse-gas-emitting internal combustion-driven vehicles. Members and supporters of Kootenays for a Pipeline-Free B.C....
Water Quality Advisory for City of Nelson rescinded
The City of Nelson, in consultation with the Interior Health Authority, has rescinded the Water Quality Advisory issued to residents Friday (April 22), effective immediately. In a media release Wednesday afternoon, City of Nelson Public Works staff said recent testing shows that current water qualities are good. "We thank...
New Therapy Centre Opens in Trail
Movin’ Mountains Therapy Centre is up and running on Laburnum Drive in Trail, with a focus on innovative, therapeutic programming for children and youth of all abilities. Born from a recognition that families in the Kootenays require more Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy services, Movin’ Mountains is set on the premise...
