Tag Archives: Health
Issues of trust revealed to be at heart of Nanaimo's supervised consumption site saga
NANAIMO - The sometimes fraught relationship between Nanaimo administration and Island Health, specifically regarding the downtown overdose prevention site, has revealed itself to be a major issue in ...
Jul 09, 2019 The overdose prevention site on Wesley St. is seen by many to be a hub for many downtown disorder issues but also live-saving efforts in the overdose crisis. (Spencer Sterritt/NanaimoNewsNOW)
Parksville councillors to face stiff pushback in efforts to regulate needle distribution
PARKSVILLE - Councillors are challenging harm reduction efforts by Island Health and trying to pass a bylaw regulating the distribution of needles. A proposed bylaw from Parksville mayor Ed Mayne pass...
Jul 04, 2019 Parksville councillors are looking to restrict how needles are exchanged and handed out to those who use them for illicit substances, drawing the ire of health experts. (The Canadian Press)
'It's hard to watch:' mother grieves as son caves to drugs right before her eyes
NANAIMO - Sitting in the waiting room of an Island Health clinic with her suicidal and drug addicted son, a Nanaimo mother couldn't fathom how someone suffering from mental health and addiction proble...
Jul 03, 2019 A Nanaimo mother says her son and his addiction was left to spiral out of control as they tried to make their way through the health care system towards help. (The Canadian Press)
Shelter hours to expand as Nanaimo grapples with increasing homelessness crisis
NANAIMO - One year after a sizable homeless camp in downtown Nanaimo sprawled out of control, the homelessness situation in the harbour city is widening to greater levels of crisis.Nanaimo RCMP superi...
Jun 27, 2019 The Unitarian Shelter will be open one hour earlier and later to provide more assistance to those who need it the most. (Spencer Sterritt/NanaimoNewsNOW)
Open Wide!
Sometimes our brains are so used to seeing things the same way that we have always seen them, the way we were taught long ago or the way other people see them. If the way you are viewing a situation i...
Jun 19, 2019
Tom Harris Charity Classic takes another shot at helping Nanaimo's vulnerable
NANAIMO - A long history of generosity shown by a late Nanaimo icon is mirrored by the charity golf tournament which bears his name.The upcoming second annual Tom Harris Charity Classic is poised to s...
Jun 16, 2019 The 1st annual Tom Harris Charity Classic supported several initiatives, including the Nanaimo Community Hospice Society, VIU Foundation, Nanaimo and District Hospital Foundation and the Salvation Army. (NanaimoNewsNOW file photo)
Fire calls decrease at Nanaimo's temporary housing sites, serious concerns remain
NANAIMO - After a rash of false alarms, the number of fire calls at Nanaimo's contentious temporary housing sites is decreasing. Nanaimo Fire Rescue chief Karen Fry confirmed to NanaimoNewsNOW the sit...
Jun 13, 2019 Snapshots of living conditions within Nanaimo's two temporary housing sites. (Nanaimo Fire Rescue)
First part of cystic fibrosis awareness run finishes in Nanaimo
NANAIMO - Phase one of an attempt to finish what Terry Fox started by running along the Trans Canada Trail came to a successful end in Nanaimo. Kalea Mullett ran for eight days from Victoria to Nanaim...
Jun 05, 2019 Kalea Mullett (left) with her travel companion Mark and family after finishing phase one of her cross-Canada trip raising awareness about cystic fibrosis. (Spencer Sterritt/NanaimoNewsNOW Staff)
Show up and Roll Up!
Some people will do anything for a cookie. Though it’s true you can get your fill of sweet and salty snacks when you donate blood, that of course is but a tiny perk in the selfless act of...
May 29, 2019
'The need is huge:' Nanaimo food bank campaigns to fight summer lull
NANAIMO - A city-wide campaign is underway to vastly boost the amount of food available for families in need. Paper bags were delivered to 4,500 doorsteps across the city this week for the Nanaimo Loa...
May 27, 2019 These bags delivered to roughly 4,500 Nanaimo doorsteps this week will be picked up on Saturday, June 1. (Peter Sinclair)