Health committee  I have a couple of points, and thanks for that question. I think it's important to note that it's a suite of measures. It's not one or the other. Part of those measures include, absolutely, having the capacity for witnessed dosing based on assessment or any indication that there may be diversion.

Health committee  At this point in time, what we are doing is working with all the projects to ensure that they are putting in that robust set of safeguards and measures. There will be regular reporting. We have an open line of communication with the projects, with law enforcement and with all of these.

Health committee  Right. Reducing the risk of diversion is the reason we do patient screening. We have to make sure there are agreements with the doctor or health provider and the client. We must ensure that clients are assessed on an individual basis for those take-home doses. We want to make sure they have sufficient capacity for witness dosing where that is needed for that individual client, and that there are regular and random urine drug screening tests.

Health committee  Sure. I'd be happy to. Thanks. We took a number of steps. We contacted the people in charge of all the projects and asked for information on all their procurement protocols and risk reduction measures. We then created a list of all the measures that should be taken. That includes patient screening; efforts to better match drugs to the patient's tolerance—as we've heard, to make sure they meet their needs—in the increasing toxic drug supply; risk-based protocols for assessing patient eligibility for take-home dosing; patient monitoring; and actions to address instances of diversion, which can include switching to observed dosing, transferring to different support services and removal from the program.

Health committee  Thank you for your question. A lot of work is being done at the border. It's being done in Canada, as Mr. Costen already said, but it's also being done by working with the United States. Were networks dismantled? Yes. Aside from what we've heard in the news, however, I have no exact details to offer.

Health committee  Drug verification services are available. We conduct analyses to know what's in them. It's possible to determine whether they contain methamphetamines, cocaine or opioids. Furthermore, specific analyses are done to see if there are similarities and differences between provinces and between regions.

Health committee  In terms of policy discussions—if I'm understanding correctly, I think it's with reference to prescribed alternatives or what you've been referring to as a safer supply—there have been a range of discussions in terms of prescribed alternatives and how to support people through a harm reduction measure as well as through treatment.

Health committee  There have been no meetings concerning the legalization of those drugs.

Health committee  There is a range of experts. There are experts in health services, law enforcement and the criminal justice system. We need to listen to a range of experts. They all bring their own expertise. There are some who have brought and highlighted the risks and benefits. There are some concerns.

Health committee  As I mentioned earlier, there are diverse views. We know people who have expressed concerns. There are some who support it, as well. When we hear it, it is as part of the suite of services. It is a connection to health and social services. Someone who is reaching out for prescribed pharmaceutical alternatives is someone who's reaching out and connecting to—

Health committee  I don't think I'm well positioned to speak specifically to the Portland statistics. There are a variety of issues and a specific context around that. In the Canadian context, I think Dr. Weiss really captured it. We need to be able to have a range of services available for people when and where they need it.

Health committee  We've been working with our counterparts in the provinces and territories. The Minister of Health, the deputy minister and senior officials like me, sit on various committees. We work closely with our counterparts in the provinces and territories to discuss our best practices and a wide range of measures.

Health committee  They take a range of actions. I can't speak to the specific drug toxicity they are facing, but it is not the same drug toxicity crisis we are facing in Canada in terms of fentanyl and in terms of contamination with benzodiazepines and other substances. Also, I think—as was mentioned before—that in Canada it is quite complex.

Health committee  There are regional variations in terms of the drug toxicity and the substances people consume, which is important in terms of how we respond and in terms of the public health response we take. That's also why we need to be looking in a community-based way and working collectively to address it in specifically targeted responses.

Health committee  As I mentioned, there are a number of concerns that have been raised. We are listening to those who have differing perspectives on prescribed pharmaceutical alternatives. We are also looking at the data and we are evaluating these programs, as is B.C. Certainly, we are looking to get additional information to better understand the implications of how much diversion is going on, what risk mitigation measures we can put in place and some of the best practices.