BC Becomes First Province to Provide Universal Coverage for Opioid Treatments

A photograph of a person who died due to an illicit drug overdose is tied to a tree with a purple ribbon by members of Moms Stop Aug. 16, 2022. The Canadian Press/Darryl Dyck

The British Columbia government is expanding access to opioid treatment medications such as methadone by providing universal coverage to help people with substance use disorders, making it the first province in Canada to do so.

Health Minister Adrian Dix said in a news release Wednesday that full coverage of the medications will be available to B.C. residents under the province’s medical services plan.