Vaughn Palmer: Minister's defence of controversial 'harm-reduction' vending machines suggests they'll remain if NDP re-elected

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VICTORIA — Premier David Eby this week ordered a review of his government’s installation of vending machines dispensing free crack pipes and other drug paraphernalia outside some hospitals on Vancouver Island.

Eby announced the review right after the B.C. Conservatives denounced the machines as “misguided, dangerous and enabling drug use.”

Gwen O’Mahony, a former NDP MLA now running for the Conservatives, posted a video on social media Tuesday of her at one of the machines outside the entrance of the emergency room of Nanaimo Regional General Hospital.

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“Let’s go get a free crack pipe and cocaine smoking kit,” she announced, then proceeded to show how the vending machine, leased for $2,000 a month by the Island Health Authority, allowed her to do just that.

“I was able to get a crack inhalation kit and a cocaine snorting kit,” O’Mahony declared, brandishing the results. “Unfortunately the crack pipes were out, which is no surprise, since crack pipes are traded for drugs.”

The Conservatives followed up with a news release, vowing to remove the machines if they get the opportunity to form government. O’Mahony’s posting went viral as members of the public reacted with shock and disbelief.

When Eby was asked later Tuesday, he tried to put some distance between himself and the........

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