overdose crisis

Medical health officer Dr. Reka Gustafson comments during a news conference in Vancouver, B.C., on Wednesday April 8, 2015. The British Columbia health expert says the province needs more overdose prevention sites and a renewed commitment to decriminalization to try to curb drug overdoses that kill six people a day. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Pandemic isolation fed B.C.’s toxic drug crisis: public health officer

‘After 5 years of telling people not to use alone, we told a population not to be with each other’

Medical health officer Dr. Reka Gustafson comments during a news conference in Vancouver, B.C., on Wednesday April 8, 2015. The British Columbia health expert says the province needs more overdose prevention sites and a renewed commitment to decriminalization to try to curb drug overdoses that kill six people a day. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
B.C. Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry steps away from the podium after speaking during a news conference in Vancouver, on Monday, January 30, 2023. British Columbia is introducing a policy of decriminalization on Tuesday as part of what it says is an overall plan to prevent overdose deaths from illicit drugs. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Patience, Bonnie Henry tells B.C. leaders, arrests won’t solve addiction

Drug decriminalization, toxic drugs on the minds of many B.C. municipal leaders

B.C. Provincial Health Officer Dr. Bonnie Henry steps away from the podium after speaking during a news conference in Vancouver, on Monday, January 30, 2023. British Columbia is introducing a policy of decriminalization on Tuesday as part of what it says is an overall plan to prevent overdose deaths from illicit drugs. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
The first mobile overdose prevention site in B.C. on First Nations land opened at Cheam First Nation. Cheam OPS staff Kristi Colp, Sharon Downing, Brandon Krilow, and Myra Seymour pose with the bus on opening day, Sept. 1, 2023. (Cheam First Nation/ Facebook)

Indigenous-led overdose prevention site the 1st of its kind in B.C.

Cheam site aimed helping prevent ODs in customized bus with trained staff who also test drugs

The first mobile overdose prevention site in B.C. on First Nations land opened at Cheam First Nation. Cheam OPS staff Kristi Colp, Sharon Downing, Brandon Krilow, and Myra Seymour pose with the bus on opening day, Sept. 1, 2023. (Cheam First Nation/ Facebook)
People march along Powell Street in Vancouver on April 14, 2023 during an event to mark the seventh anniversary of the toxic drug crisis in B.C. The province said Aug. 23, 2023 that at least 198 people died in July due to toxic drug poisonings and there have been 1,455 deaths in the first seven months of the year. (Photo: Lauren Collins)

198 people died in B.C. in July due to toxic drug poisonings

The latest data comes just 2 days before International Overdose Awareness Day

People march along Powell Street in Vancouver on April 14, 2023 during an event to mark the seventh anniversary of the toxic drug crisis in B.C. The province said Aug. 23, 2023 that at least 198 people died in July due to toxic drug poisonings and there have been 1,455 deaths in the first seven months of the year. (Photo: Lauren Collins)
A new survey says an alarming number of kids age 12 and older have been treated for drug overdoses in Canada. Paramedics debrief after responding to a drug overdose in Vancouver on Wednesday, June 23, 2021.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Kids overdosing is a public health emergency, Canadian pediatricians say

Overdoses leading cause of death of those between 10 and 18 years old in Western Canada

A new survey says an alarming number of kids age 12 and older have been treated for drug overdoses in Canada. Paramedics debrief after responding to a drug overdose in Vancouver on Wednesday, June 23, 2021.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
A Naloxone anti-overdose kit is held in downtown Vancouver, Friday, Feb. 10, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

‘Just can’t leave a person’: How to respond to potential overdoses on the street

Voss-Dahl, a licensed practical nurse in Edmonton, says she comes across people overdosing ‘all the time’

A Naloxone anti-overdose kit is held in downtown Vancouver, Friday, Feb. 10, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
A protester holds a sign during a rally in Victoria, Thursday, April 14, 2022. The BC Coroners Service says 184 people died in B.C. in June due to the toxic, unregulated drug supply that has claimed more than 1,200 lives in the first six months of 2023. The coroners service says the numbers show just how risky it continues to be for users who access their drugs on the illicit market. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

BC Coroners Service blames illicit drug supply for 184 deaths in June

90 per cent of all drugs tested in June showed the presence of fentanyl

A protester holds a sign during a rally in Victoria, Thursday, April 14, 2022. The BC Coroners Service says 184 people died in B.C. in June due to the toxic, unregulated drug supply that has claimed more than 1,200 lives in the first six months of 2023. The coroners service says the numbers show just how risky it continues to be for users who access their drugs on the illicit market. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
Supplies are seen on a table at an outdoor supervised consumption site in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, on Thursday, May 27, 2021. A Vancouver family known for its philanthropy is making a $20 million donation to a British Columbia substance use treatment centre in memory of their adult son and brother who died of a opioid overdose. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Vancouver family who lost son to overdose donates $20 million to recovery centre

Donation to the St. Paul’s Foundation will help fund the hospital’s Road to Recovery program

Supplies are seen on a table at an outdoor supervised consumption site in the Downtown Eastside of Vancouver, on Thursday, May 27, 2021. A Vancouver family known for its philanthropy is making a $20 million donation to a British Columbia substance use treatment centre in memory of their adult son and brother who died of a opioid overdose. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
Protesters march out of Oppenheimer Park along Powell Street in Vancouver on April 14, 2023 during an event marking the seventh anniversary of the toxic drug deaths in B.C. (Photo: Lauren Collins)

Toxic drug deaths response, care now top priority for First Nations Health Authority

When looking at abstinence as only option, it creates stigma, fear and shame: FNHA

Protesters march out of Oppenheimer Park along Powell Street in Vancouver on April 14, 2023 during an event marking the seventh anniversary of the toxic drug deaths in B.C. (Photo: Lauren Collins)
The First Nations Health Authority have released the 2022 data on toxic drug deaths for Indigenous people in B.C. Dr. Nel Wieman with the First Nations Health Authority speaks about the illicit drug toxicity deaths in the province and about the effect on First Nation’s communities during a press conference at B.C. Legislature in Victoria, B.C., on Monday, February 24, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

First Nations ‘particularly and disproportionately’ overrepresented among B.C. toxic drug deaths

First Nations Health Authority releases 2022 data; detail plans for public health response

The First Nations Health Authority have released the 2022 data on toxic drug deaths for Indigenous people in B.C. Dr. Nel Wieman with the First Nations Health Authority speaks about the illicit drug toxicity deaths in the province and about the effect on First Nation’s communities during a press conference at B.C. Legislature in Victoria, B.C., on Monday, February 24, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
FILE – Williams Lake resident were encouraged to paint on a purple rock in memory of a loved one lost to the toxic drug crisis. (Monica Lamb-Yorski photo - Williams Lake Tribune)

6 people died per day from unregulated drug supply so far this year: BC Coroners Service

‘Unregulated drug toxicity continues to be the leading cause of unnatural death in British Columbia’

FILE – Williams Lake resident were encouraged to paint on a purple rock in memory of a loved one lost to the toxic drug crisis. (Monica Lamb-Yorski photo - Williams Lake Tribune)
Safe supply advocates hold a rally outside the B.C. Ministry of Health in downtown Victoria April 14. The day marks seven years since the province declared the overdose public health emergency. (Austin Westphal/News Staff) Safe supply advocates hold a rally outside the B.C. Ministry of Health in downtown Victoria April 14. The day marks seven years since the province declared the overdose public health emergency. (Austin Westphal/News Staff)

B.C. safe supply advocates rally to mark 7 years of toxic drug crisis

More than 11,300 British Columbians have died from toxic drug deaths since 2016

Safe supply advocates hold a rally outside the B.C. Ministry of Health in downtown Victoria April 14. The day marks seven years since the province declared the overdose public health emergency. (Austin Westphal/News Staff) Safe supply advocates hold a rally outside the B.C. Ministry of Health in downtown Victoria April 14. The day marks seven years since the province declared the overdose public health emergency. (Austin Westphal/News Staff)
A protester holds a sign that reads, “Help test our dope before we go up in smoke.” People marched along Powell Street toward Main Street in Vancouver on April 14, 2023 during an event marking the seventh anniversary of the toxic drug deaths in B.C. (Lauren Collins/Black Press Media)

‘Without a regulated supply, everyone just dies’: Parade marks 7th year of toxic drug crisis

Hundreds take to the streets on Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside calling for a regulated supply

A protester holds a sign that reads, “Help test our dope before we go up in smoke.” People marched along Powell Street toward Main Street in Vancouver on April 14, 2023 during an event marking the seventh anniversary of the toxic drug deaths in B.C. (Lauren Collins/Black Press Media)
Paramedic Specialists Brian Twaites and David Hilder of B.C. Ambulance debrief after responding to a drug overdose in downtown Vancouver, Wednesday, June 23, 2021. Twaites says he has watched as the province’s illicit drugs have become more toxic, requiring more effort and more overdose-reversal medication to save people’s lives. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

Former B.C. paramedic gives advice on the 7th anniversary of the toxic drug crisis

Last year, the toxic drug supply claimed nearly 2,300 lives in the province

Paramedic Specialists Brian Twaites and David Hilder of B.C. Ambulance debrief after responding to a drug overdose in downtown Vancouver, Wednesday, June 23, 2021. Twaites says he has watched as the province’s illicit drugs have become more toxic, requiring more effort and more overdose-reversal medication to save people’s lives. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
A naloxone anti-overdose kit is held in downtown Vancouver, B.C., Friday, Feb. 10, 2017. British Columbia Emergency Health Services has released grim statistics on the toxic drug crisis ahead of the seventh anniversary of the province declaring a public health emergency. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward

‘The perfect storm’: more poisoning calls than ever as overdose crisis turns 7

B.C. marks 7th anniversary of overdose emergency with grim record statistics

A naloxone anti-overdose kit is held in downtown Vancouver, B.C., Friday, Feb. 10, 2017. British Columbia Emergency Health Services has released grim statistics on the toxic drug crisis ahead of the seventh anniversary of the province declaring a public health emergency. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
Island Health demonstrated the technology at the Comox Valley Nursing Centre in Courtenay March 15 as part of a trial in a group of washrooms identified high-risk spaces for drug poisonings. Photo by Erin Haluschak

Washroom sensor trial underway on Vancouver Island to reduce drug poisonings

Sensors in multiple test facilities monitor movement and how long a person has occupied the washroom

Island Health demonstrated the technology at the Comox Valley Nursing Centre in Courtenay March 15 as part of a trial in a group of washrooms identified high-risk spaces for drug poisonings. Photo by Erin Haluschak
People gather at Centennial Square marking the sixth anniversary of B.C. declaring overdose deaths a public health emergency in Victoria, Thursday, April 14, 2022. A First Nation on the northwest coast of Vancouver Island has declared a state of emergency over what its leadership describes as the “unrelating impact of drugs and alcohol” on its members, particularly children and youth.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

B.C. First Nation declares emergency over drug and alcohol crisis

Ehattesaht First Nation on Vancouver Island says six young people have died

People gather at Centennial Square marking the sixth anniversary of B.C. declaring overdose deaths a public health emergency in Victoria, Thursday, April 14, 2022. A First Nation on the northwest coast of Vancouver Island has declared a state of emergency over what its leadership describes as the “unrelating impact of drugs and alcohol” on its members, particularly children and youth.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
Dr. Nel Wieman with the First Nations Health Authority speaks about the illicit drug toxicity deaths in the province and about the effect on First Nation’s communities during a press conference at B.C. Legislature in Victoria, B.C., on Monday, February 24, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

First Nations women overrepresented among B.C. toxic drug deaths: doctor

Illicit drugs are killing First Nations people at 5 times the rate of B.C.’s general population

Dr. Nel Wieman with the First Nations Health Authority speaks about the illicit drug toxicity deaths in the province and about the effect on First Nation’s communities during a press conference at B.C. Legislature in Victoria, B.C., on Monday, February 24, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
Moms Stop the Harm advocates and supporters march from Centennial Square to the Ministry of Health building in Victoria on April 14, 2022, the sixth anniversary of B.C. declaring the opioid crisis a public health emergency. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito

Chief coroner prescribes ‘urgency’ as B.C. records 2,272 toxic drug deaths in 2022

Experts call for holistic action, call response so far a failure

Moms Stop the Harm advocates and supporters march from Centennial Square to the Ministry of Health building in Victoria on April 14, 2022, the sixth anniversary of B.C. declaring the opioid crisis a public health emergency. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, right, meets with B.C. Premier David Eby before an announcement at the Richmond Jewish Day School, in Richmond, B.C., on Friday, December 2, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

Trudeau, Eby talk housing , child care, overdose crisis and more during first meeting

Safe consumption forefront of countering the overdose crisis, prime minister says

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, right, meets with B.C. Premier David Eby before an announcement at the Richmond Jewish Day School, in Richmond, B.C., on Friday, December 2, 2022. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck