New Documentary ‘Government Heroin’ Tells Story of Ontario Student Hooked on Safe Supply Drugs

New Documentary ‘Government Heroin’ Tells Story of Ontario Student Hooked on Safe Supply Drugs
Methamphetamine, heroin, and cocaine from a safe supply site are displayed in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, on Aug. 31, 2021. The Canadian Press/Darryl Dyck
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The story of a 25-year-old Ontario student who became addicted to hydromorphone–a potent opioid–after getting access to diverted government-funded “safer supply” pills is the subject of a new documentary released this week.

The film, “Government Heroin,” was produced by the Center for Responsible Drug Policy, an organization that promotes recovery-oriented drug policy. Released Sept. 17, it tells the true story of Callum Bagnall, a London, Ont., resident who says he developed an addiction to safe supply drugs after he came into contact with clients of the government program who were selling their prescriptions at a low price.