Since COVID-19 arrived in Nova Scotia a year ago, we have been doing what we can to keep ourselves, our loved ones and others safe. We have masked up, social distanced and ensured our neighbours in isolation have what they need, ranging from grocery drop-offs to dog walks. We have shown Canada and the world […]
OPS
Nova Scotians are still dying from the overdose crisis
Just as Nova Scotia tries its best to contain COVID, and Canada’s largest mass killing in recent history leaves 22 people dead from an unimaginable act of violence, there are other tragedies that have been swept under the rug amid the chaos. Canada’s overdose crisis continues to claim the lives of our neighbours and friends—on […]
Surviving Canada’s overdose crisis under the shadow of COVID-19
In the midst of two public health outbreaks, we seem to be forgetting about the overdose crisis, which has taken over 14,000 of the most marginalized and vulnerable lives in Canada. Last week, prime minister Justin Trudeau announced the first $1 billion for the COVID-19 response—which has eight deaths in Canada to date—while right next […]
Dalhousie nursing students are learning about Naloxone
T his year during orientation week, some Dalhousie nursing students, faculty and staff will be learning about Naloxone—a temporary antidote to opioid overdose—in a special workshop and training on September 5. The program is led by Martha Paynter and Brianna Richardson, both PhD nursing students at Dalhousie, in partnership with Direction 180—a community-based methadone clinic […]
Q&A with Leah Genge a family physician on the front-line of Nova Scotia’s addiction services
With news that HaliFIX Overdose Prevention Society has gotten a federal exemption to set up their Overdose Prevention Site in the basement of 2164 Gottingen Street—Below Direction 180, where Leah Genge is the physician—Genge shares some insight on what an OPS actually is, who it serves and why it’s important. The Coast: What is an […]

