Media & Writing — Samuel Tobias, PhD

Opinion & Public Writing

Why the drug poisoning crisis in B.C. won't be addressed by the new decriminalization policy

The Conversation · February 2023

‘Benzo-dope’ may be replacing fentanyl: Dangerous substance turning up in unregulated opioids

The Conversation, with Lianping Ti · August 2021

Broadcast & Podcasts

Why B.C. drug deaths are down as overdoses hit record-high

CTV News · July 2026

Why the number of drug-related deaths in B.C. dropped by 21 per cent in 2025

On the Coast with Gloria Macarenko, CBC Radio One Vancouver · March 2026

Why toxic drug deaths in B.C. were down 21% in 2025

CBC Vancouver News at 6, CBC British Columbia · March 2026

Is decriminalization doing more harm than good?

Mornings with Simi Sara, CKNW 980AM · June 2023

UBC Okanagan drug-checking program aims to save lives during overdose crisis

Global News · March 2021

Vancouver drug tester says nearly half of all heroin that comes in contains fentanyl

Global News · February 2021

Screening illicit drugs to prevent fentanyl deaths

Undark Podcast · December 2019

Online & Print

Why were toxic drug deaths in B.C. down 21% in 2025?

CBC British Columbia · February 2026

Zombie drug rumoured to contain human bones killing a dozen every week

Newsweek · January 2024

As street drugs get deadlier, test kits may not detect dangerous new substances

Global News · April 2023

More street drugs being laced with animal tranquilizer xylazine, Health Canada says

CBC British Columbia · March 2023

Du tranquillisant pour animaux dans les veines

La Presse · January 2023

Spike of unregulated drugs mixed with benzodiazepines creating targeted violence: experts

CityNews · February 2022

An artist used crack for 30 years. His last hit was contaminated with fentanyl

The Tyee · April 2021

Why BC's illicit drugs are increasingly deadly

The Tyee · August 2020

Public drug testing sites are helping dealers prevent overdoses

VICE News · October 2019

Reports & Knowledge Translation

BCCSU Drug Checking Project

Knowledge translation products including technical reports and drug supply monitoring are available from the BC Centre on Substance Use.