B.C. doctor quits, says she was punished for unsanctioned overdose prevention sites [Video]

A Vancouver Island doctor involved in setting up unsanctioned overdose prevention sites outside hospitals has resigned from her positions with Island Health, claiming she was placed on leave as punishment for her public advocacy work.

But Island Health says in a statement it’s not punishing Dr. Jess Wilder and administrative leave is to ensure people are still paid while they are under investigation.

Wilder, a co-founder of the group Doctors for Safer Drug Policy, says in a resignation letter dated Feb. 5 that she’s leaving her positions with Island Health “immediately.”

Wilder says she was placed on administrative leave on Jan. 22 from her physician lead positions in harm reduction and education, and addiction medicine at Nanaimo Regional General Hospital.

She says in a separate letter addressed to colleagues at Island Health that she was placed on leave “pending investigation of alleged accusations” related to her “public advocacy work,” though it says she will continue her clinical and patient-facing work.

Wilder says the investigation …