Group files complaint to B.C. Human Rights Tribunal to remove drug clinic access fees
Clinic fees paid by some of those who get opioid treatments based on 'discriminatory attitudes,' says lawyer
A complaint has been filed with B.C.'s Human Rights Tribunal over clinic fees being charged to some British Columbians accessing opioid treatments.
Vancouver lawyer Jason Gratl said his clients, drug policy advocate Garth Mullins and the B.C. Association for People on Opioid Maintenance, have filed the complaint on behalf of those "who paid out-of-pocket private clinic access fees" for opioid agonist treatments.
Gratl said the current system requires patients to pay private clinic access fees ranging from $60 to $100 per month in order to receive advice or prescriptions from a practitioner who's enrolled in the Medical Services Plan.
He said in a release that the model "targets" drug users "on the basis of discriminatory attitudes and stereotypes" and violates provincial law that expressly prohibits the fees where publicly funded health services are provided.
The complaint calls for an end to the current access fee model and for the province to pay those fees under the public health-care system.
Gratl said his clients also want the province to reimburse the fees already paid by members of the class covered in the complaint, all of whom have opioid use disorder.
The complaint says opioid use disorder is recognized as a disability under B.C.'s Human Rights Code.
"This funding model impedes access to medical treatment for persons seeking to control and stabilize their substance use disorders," Gratl said in the release.
"Requiring patients to pay out-of-pocket clinic fee[s] discriminates against persons with substance use disorder[s] who attempt to seek medical treatment."
The B.C. Health Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The complaint dated Feb. 25 says Mullins, a Vancouver-based podcast host and activist, is the director of the association and a "person receiving opioid maintenance treatment."
"[Opioid agonist treatment] is a medical treatment necessary to treat a medical condition and disability," the complaint says.
According to provincial figures from August 2024, at least 125,000 people had opioid use disorder in B.C. and approximately 24,000 people were on opioid agonist treatment.
With files from CBC News