Mercedes Deutscher News Editor wean the number of fentanyl-related deaths and injuries continuing to increase, it appears health officials, police, and government officials are beginning to address the problem. Lisa Lapointe, chief coroner from BC’s coronet’s office, revealed in a news conference that 488 people have died in fentanyl-related deaths in BC this year. This compares to the 505 deaths that occurred in 2015, according to CBC. Lapointe told CTV that, SFU's Academic Women discuss while fentanyl continues to take a high toll in the province, very few of the deaths are caused by people using fentanyl] on its own. That means that fentanyl is being laced within other recreational drugs, especially in cocaine. Lapointe mentioned that fentanyl was detected in 60 per cent of these drugs. A CBC report from August 31 suggested that up to 86 per cent of illicit substances contained fentanyl. Meanwhile, there is a public service video being prepared by the provincial government regarding drug use. The video features harm-reduction activist Leslie McBain, who lost her son to an overdose. The video Provincial government responds to rising number of fentanyl incidents > Government could be changing perspective on drug use will focus on approaching drug users with compassion rather than contempt. McBain told CTV that she believes having non-judgemental and educational discussions with loved ones about drug use will be far more effective than conversations fuelled with scare tactics and prohibition. McBain is but one concerned voice in the fentanyl crisis. There has been an influx of concern, especially after 9 overdoses were reported within 20 minutes in Delta on August 31. There were no fatalities. Police believed the overdose victims not to be addicts, but casual users. “We can’t arrest our way out sexual violence policies > The Ending Violence Association expresses criticism of SFU Administration Theresa-Anne Clarke Hunter The Peak [ light of recent controversies surrounding sexual assault, SFU is working to develop better sexual assault policies. Although the administration has been criticized for its alleged lack of response to sexual assault allegations, organizations at the school have been uniting to work towards this common goal. On September 13, SFU’s Academic Women organized a talk with the Ending Violence Association (EVA) to discuss how to create a proactive way to deal with sexual assault on campus. The university has previously held a series of Town Halls to work on this goal, complete with an advisory committee. The main speaker, Tracey Porteous, is the executive director of EVA BC. Porteous has been fighting to end gender- based violence for decades. In her talk, Porteous argued that victims of sexual violence have the right to be outraged, as reports have shown that assaults are almost always premeditated. When creating effective sexual assault policies, Porteous stressed the need for university leadership Photo credit Tracy Por When asked what sparked her passion for change on this issue, Porteous revealed that she too is a survivor of sexual assault. EVA has been working with schools and groups all over the province to develop action plans to prevent sexual assault, as well as the policies and resources to effectively of this. Handcuffs are not the solution here and we need to be able to engage other parts of the system,” Delta Police Chief Neil Dubord told the Vancouver Sun. Two public forums on fentanyl were hosted in both South Delta and North Delta in wake of the overdoses, attended by parents, students, and other members of the community. Nalaxone, which is an antidote that can stop an ongoing fentanyl overdose, has helped ease the severity of the crisis from worsening. It has been used to reverse 2,149 overdoses in BC, and is now being sold outside of pharmacies. It is also being carried by first deal with the aftermath. When creating effective sexual assault policies, Porteous stressed the need for unwavering leadership which, she argued, SFU administration has not provided. SFU’s sexual assault policy reads: “All forms of sexual violence jeopardize the mental, physical, and emotional well- being of our students and our employees, as well as the safety of the community. Sexual violence violates our institutional values, in particular, the right of all individuals to be treated with dignity and respect. SFU will not condone or tolerate any form of sexual violence.” Porteous argued that all members of the SFU community should be involved in the making of these policies, including Residence Life coordinators, all ResLife and Housing employees, Image via thinkstcok responders, according to CTV. Insite, a safe injection site located in Vancouver, provided free drug testing on substances from July 7 to August 9 as part of a pilot program, according to CBC. While these measures may help ease the number of deaths, Dr. Bernie Pauly from the Centre for Addictions Research of BC said that there is still much more to be done, looking to the federal government. “This is a social issue, so we need to look at decriminalization and regulation of drugs,” Pauly told CTV. “That’s the policy discussion I haven't seen starting yet.” as well as professors, security employees, and university president Andrew Petter. She recommended that “all Simon Fraser employees be cross- sector trained in responding to assault.” Porteous stated that it is “common to lack the literacy or language” when someone discloses an assault. The EVA offers educational seminars to schools and organizations regarding consent, giving students the tools to stand up for each other, and recognizing when a situation is dangerous. Porteous stressed that just one of these solutions isn’t enough. It must bea comprehensive compilation of education, prevention, and leadership. She noted that SFU currently has the ear of its students and staff on this issue in a way it hasn’t ever before.