Over 14,000 deaths have occurred since B.C. declared a public health emergency in 2016, with advocates calling for regulatory changes similar to those for alcohol.

This Sunday marked the sombre eighth anniversary of British Columbia’s declaration of a public health emergency due to a toxic drug crisis that continues to devastate communities. Since the declaration in 2016, the province has witnessed over 14,000 deaths, predominantly from the powerful opioid fentanyl, which has become the leading cause of death for individuals aged 10 to 59 in B.C.

Brittany Graham, the executive director at the Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users, reflects on the crisis with a heavy heart, lamenting the loss of 65 to 75 people she personally knew. “That’s more than a yellow school bus full,” Graham stated, emphasizing the human cost of the crisis.

In recent weeks, the severity of the situation prompted two First Nations to declare local states of emergency over drug poisoning deaths. The First Nations Health Authority highlighted that Indigenous people are dying at nearly six times the rate of other B.C. residents, pointing to a significant racial disparity in the impact of the crisis.

As the province continues to grapple with this ongoing tragedy, there is a collective call for a shift in how drugs are regulated. Advocates like Graham argue for the need to manage illicit substances with the same rigor as alcohol, suggesting that education, minimum pricing standards, and regulated access points could significantly mitigate harm.

During a community town hall held on the anniversary, members of Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside community gathered to grieve and discuss future strategies. The looming provincial and federal elections, however, cast a shadow over these discussions, with concerns that political manoeuvres might prioritize electoral gains over effective solutions.

Premier David Eby acknowledged the “catastrophic impact” of the toxic drug crisis on families and communities, affirming the commitment to ongoing efforts to address the crisis. Provincial Health Officer Dr Bonnie Henry stressed the importance of innovative approaches to support those affected by drug use, who come from all walks of life and often carry significant trauma.

The crisis has also prompted critical reflections on municipal strategies concerning public drug use, with many local governments enacting laws that push drug users further to the margins, according to Graham. She criticized these measures as counterproductive, emphasizing that they exacerbate the crisis by isolating those in need of support.

As British Columbia marks this grim anniversary, the call for a comprehensive overhaul of drug policy and support systems grows louder, with advocates, health officials, and affected families urging for a paradigm shift that could finally stem the tide of this ongoing public health emergency.