Latest news with #ControlledDrugsandSubstancesAct
Cision Canada
2 days ago
- Health
- Cision Canada
Health Canada launches public consultation on proposed changes to increase oversight of precursor chemicals and drug equipment
OTTAWA, ON, June 27, 2025 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada is taking action to keep communities safe on both sides of the border. This includes detecting and disrupting the illegal fentanyl trade. Today, the Minister of Health, Marjorie Michel, launched a 45-day public consultation on proposed changes to how Canada regulates precursor chemicals and devices such as pill presses and encapsulators that could be used in the illegal production of drugs. The consultation is open until August 12, 2025. The public consultation will allow impacted stakeholders, such as regulated industries that use precursors for legitimate uses, pharmacies and individual pharmacists, to provide feedback on the proposed changes. These changes would strengthen controls around precursor chemicals and drug equipment to support law and border enforcement as they take action to stop their illegal importation and distribution. Quotes "Our government is acting to protect Canadians against illegal synthetic drugs like fentanyl. By working with the industry and our partners, we are making our streets safer." The Honourable Marjorie Michel Minister of Health "Keeping communities safe from the harms of illegal drugs is a top priority. Together with our Strong Borders bill, these proposed changes will give law enforcement and border officers stronger tools to stop the illegal production and trafficking of dangerous substances like fentanyl. We are committed to working with our partners to disrupt organized crime, further secure our borders and protect Canadians." The Honourable Gary Anandasangaree Minister of Public Safety "Step by step we are increasing pressure on organized crime groups and sending a clear message: Canada will not tolerate illegal drugs in our communities and at our borders. We will use every tool at our disposal to support law and border enforcement as they tackle the production and distribution of illegal drugs." Kevin Brosseau Fentanyl Czar Quick Facts Under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA), the Precursor Control Regulations (PCR) sets rules for the use of precursor chemicals. While some precursors have legitimate uses, they can also be used in the illegal production of controlled substances, like fentanyl and fentanyl analogues. In Canada, precursors are controlled under Schedule VI of the CDSA and are regulated under the PCR. To ensure that law and border enforcement have the tools they need to detect and address fentanyl and its precursors, the federal government is investing $78.7 million to expand Health Canada's laboratory and regulatory capabilities. Health Canada's Precursor Chemical Risk Management Unit provides better oversight into precursor chemicals and their distribution channels, and enhance monitoring and surveillance of illegal drug trends to enable timely law enforcement action. Health Canada is establishing a new Canadian Drug Analysis Centre that will allow for more specialized analysis of synthetic drug samples. The analysis will help determine how and where these substances were manufactured to support law enforcement and public safety partners to strategically target organized crime. Notice of Intent on this regulatory proposal to enhance oversight of precursor chemicals and drug equipment was open for public consultation from January 31 to March 3, 2025. 1S7Oa6kfqPnSMg%3D&rese SOURCE Health Canada (HC)
Hamilton Spectator
3 days ago
- Health
- Hamilton Spectator
‘Significant shift' in how Hamilton police respond to open drug use
Hamilton police say they have 'significantly shifted' how they respond to open drug use, in response to federal legislation that prioritizes treating substance use as a health-care issue over a criminal one. The change is also meant to help with concerns from community members and businesses, particularly downtown, about the prevalence and impact of open drug use in parks and city streets in recent years. Under the new approach, people found with small amounts of drugs for personal use are being arrested, their drugs and paraphernalia seized, and then — if they are willing — they are being referred to St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton's RAAM (Rapid Access Addiction Medicine) clinic. In the first 100 days of this partnership, from Jan. 20 to April 30, police made 287 arrests and 65 people agreed to be referred to the clinic, said Supt. David Hennick. Of those arrested, 14 were charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking. Police also recovered weapons, including prohibited knives, brass knuckles and a conducted energy weapon (CEW), and arrested people on unrelated outstanding warrants. 'Through this work addressing open drug use, we are identifying, apprehending and holding accountable people who are trafficking drugs in the community,' Hennick said, adding that anecdotally, police are hearing people are noticing a difference. Five people were charged with simple possession, including one case that was due to the amount of drugs found and four other cases where the accused person had drugs while allegedly committing another offence. Simple possession means someone is found with a small quantity of drugs that are just for their own use. It remains illegal in Canada under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. However, in recent years, the courts have shifted away from prosecuting those cases. Hennick explained that this shift first began in August of 2020 when the Public Prosecution Service of Canada released guidelines for federal Crowns about prosecuting only the most serious simple possession cases. Essentially, unless there was a public safety risk, cases were being diverted away from the court. Then, in November 2022, the federal government ratified Bill C-5 that shifted the approach away from criminalization toward compassion and community well-being. That legislation mandates that in simple possession cases, before charging someone, police must consider whether it's preferable to take no further action, warn the individual or — with their consent — refer the individual to a treatment program or community service provider. 'What was happening is our members were involved in making simple possession arrests and laying charges and the charges were being withdrawn,' Hennick said. So police took time to understand the legislation, and that's how the partnership with St. Joe's was developed. Hennick said they are very happy with the progress so far. 'We are where we are supposed to be,' he said. Catherine McCarron, manager of RAAM Clinic St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton, said they are trying to reduce barriers for those trying to access care. This is often difficult, as people might not have a fixed address or phone, not have access to transportation or be limited by hours of service. 'It's important to meet people where they're at,' she said, adding that services need to look at meeting people in the community. Hamilton police and St. Joe's have had long-standing partnerships with other programs, including COAST, MCRRT (mobile crisis rapid response team) and RIST (rapid intervention support team), to address mental-health and substance-use crises. She hopes to build on that. Someone referred to the RAAM clinic by police follows a similar process to any other type of referral, McCarron said, adding that they go over and above, making every attempt to contact people once they've been referred. At the clinic, patients can access a counsellor, nurse, nurse practitioner and peer support. There are also drop-in hours. About 60 per cent of the population is male, and the primary substance — about 82 per cent — is fentanyl. That's a shift from a couple decades ago when the primary substance seen was crack cocaine, she said. Amid a substance-use crisis, people in Hamilton are also facing the high cost of living, a housing crisis and other factors that make needs more complex. 'Given the fact that it is 100 days old, this is an opportunity for us to look at how to provide services differently,' she said, calling the initiative exciting. Hennick said the people they've arrested for open drug use during the first 100 days of the initiative range in age from 16 to 69. The 14 people charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking represented about 25 per cent of the 55 total such charges across the service during that period. Police seized a 'significant amount of drugs,' he said. This includes 348 grams of fentanyl, 40 grams of methamphetamine, 161 grams of cocaine and 344 Dilaudid (hydromorphone) pills. 'A significant amount of the work is taking place in the downtown area,' he said, adding that the core patrol team and patrol officers are making the most arrests. Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Speranza Therapeutics and Sunshine Labs Announce Strategic Global Partnership to Expand Access to Life-Saving Harm Reduction Solutions
BOCA RATON, Fla. and TORONTO, June 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Speranza Therapeutics is proud to announce a strategic partnership with Sunshine Labs, a global leader in harm reduction, safer supply, and science-backed therapeutic innovation. This groundbreaking collaboration is a significant milestone in expanding access to clinically effective medical devices, pharmaceuticals, and harm reduction tools across the United States and key international markets. Sunshine Labs, headquartered in Canada and operating under Health Canada's Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, is at the forefront of transforming how controlled substances are regulated, studied, and administered. Through its wholly owned subsidiary, Oryx Biomed, Sunshine Labs delivers pharmaceutical-grade treatments and research-ready substances to four continents — including the United Kingdom, Great Britain, Northern Ireland, Australia, and European Union member states. Together, Speranza Therapeutics and Sunshine Labs will work to equip providers, clinicians, and researchers with innovative solutions that address addiction, mental health challenges, and overdose prevention. Key areas of collaboration include: Medical Devices – Including Speranza's ST Genesis Neurostimulation Device for Detox, and Sunshine Labs' advanced Naloxone delivery system, designed to support rapid response in overdose scenarios. Psychedelics for Therapeutic Use – Supporting ongoing clinical trials and research focused on PTSD, substance use disorder, and treatment-resistant mental health conditions. Compounding Pharmacy Services – Delivering personalized, high-quality treatment formulations for complex psychiatric and behavioral health needs. Pharmaceutical-grade Treatments – All products are manufactured to the highest cGMP and euGMP standards, ensuring quality, consistency, and compliance across global markets. Note: While Sunshine Labs produces pharmaceutical-grade controlled substances for research and approved medical use in select international jurisdictions, distribution and use in the United States will remain compliant with all applicable U.S. regulatory guidelines. "This partnership represents a shared mission," said Donovan Edwards, CEO of Sunshine Labs. "Speranza and Sunshine Labs are aligned in our commitment to disruptive innovation and compassionate care. Together, we are equipping providers and researchers with safer, science-based tools to meet today's public health challenges head-on." Speranza Therapeutics brings deep expertise in U.S. regulatory landscapes and a strong track record in advancing medical device innovation. Known for its pioneering work in addiction medicine and pain management, Speranza is committed to eliminating barriers to treatment access — especially for patients with chronic or underserved conditions. "We're honored to join forces with Sunshine Labs," said Sal J. Rafanelli, President and CEO of Speranza Therapeutics. "Their leadership in regulatory innovation and global distribution is unmatched. We are especially excited about expanding access to the ST Genesis Device through this partnership — not only in Canada, but also in the UK, Great Britain, Northern Ireland, Australia, and throughout the European Union. Together, we are driving meaningful clinical outcomes for those who need them most." This strategic alliance reflects a mutual commitment to clinical excellence, global collaboration, and a future where harm reduction and mental health care are accessible, evidence-based, and stigma-free. About Speranza Therapeutics Speranza Therapeutics is a medical device and pharmaceutical company that is dedicated to making meaningful, more efficient and cost-effective changes in delivering medical devices and drugs to patients in the United States. Their success is the collective result of visionary leaders and dedicated clinicians focused on disrupting the norm, improving care, and making an important difference in the lives of patients with complex medical conditions. Their guiding principle is simple: to remove the inherent challenges in delivering treatment to patients in need through proven, clinically effective therapeutics and technology. For more information, contact our Marketing Manager Lauren Saccone, lsaccone@ View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Speranza Therapeutics Sign in to access your portfolio
Edmonton Journal
5 days ago
- Edmonton Journal
Canadian Border Services seize 187 kg of cocaine at Ontario crossing
Article content During the secondary inspection of the trailer, border services officers, with the assistance of a detector dog, discovered 161 bricks of suspected cocaine in six boxes. The total weight of the suspected narcotics was 187 kg, giving it an estimated street value of $23.3 million. The CBSA then arrested Karamveer Singh, 27, of Brampton, Ont., and transferred him and the suspected narcotics to the custody of the RCMP. Singh has been charged with importation of cocaine, and possession of cocaine for the purpose of trafficking under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. The investigation is ongoing. 'The CBSA takes its border protection responsibilities very seriously and our officers work diligently with the RCMP to prevent smuggling across our borders,' said An Nguyen, director of St. Clair district operations for the CBSA. 'This is the fourth time a significant amount of cocaine coming from the United States was seized at the Blue Water Bridge this year.' The CBSA notes that, to date this year, its officers have seized a total of 978 kg of cocaine at Southern Ontario ports of entry.
Canada Standard
5 days ago
- Canada Standard
CBSA seizes 187 kg of cocaine at the Blue Water Bridge
June 24, 2025 Point Edward, ON Canada Border Services Agency The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) announced today a significant seizure of cocaine at the Blue Water Bridge port of entry in Point Edward, Ontario. On June 12, 2025, a commercial truck arrived from the United States at the Blue Water Bridge port of entry and was referred for a secondary examination. During the inspection of the trailer, border services officers, with the assistance of a detector dog, discovered 161 bricks of suspected cocaine contained in 6 boxes. The total weight of the suspected narcotics was 187 kg, with an estimated street value of $23.3 million. The CBSA arrested Karamveer Singh, 27, of Brampton, Ontario, and transferred him and the suspected narcotics to the custody of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). Singh has been charged by the RCMP with Importation of Cocaine, and Possession of Cocaine for the Purpose of Trafficking under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. The investigation is ongoing. To date this year, border services officers have seized a total of 978 kg of cocaine at Southern Ontario ports of entry.
