B.C. Doctors Resign Over Halted Overdose Prevention Plans

Two Vancouver Island physicians quit leadership roles, accusing health authority of punishing advocacy for unsanctioned overdose prevention sites.

Dr. Jess Wilder and Dr. Kelsey Roden resigned from leadership roles with Island Health, citing concerns over the treatment of public advocacy for harm reduction services.
Dr. Wilder was placed on administrative leave on January 22, pending an investigation into her advocacy work, which Island Health claims is not punitive.
The doctors had set up unsanctioned overdose prevention sites outside hospitals in protest of stalled government plans to open supervised drug use sites.
Island Health had initially planned to open sanctioned overdose prevention sites in 2024 but halted the initiative following government direction and public opposition to decriminalization policies.
The resignations highlight ongoing tensions between harm reduction advocates and provincial leadership during a public health emergency tied to illicit drug-related deaths.