Posted on: February 9, 2022
It's been nearly six years since the drug poisoning crisis was declared and this public health crisis is not improving.
The numbers are tragic and frightening. In 2021, there were 2,224 deaths caused by illicit drug poisoning in BC, a 26% increase over the number of deaths in 2020 (1,767). This is by far the deadliest year since the public health emergency was declared in 2016. Since then, 9,020 British Columbians have been lost to poisoned street drugs.
Drug-poisoning deaths are the leading cause of unnatural death in BC and have contributed to an overall decrease in life expectancy in Canada. This is especially true for men, with the majority of deaths occurring among those aged 30-59. In Island Health, drug poisonings claimed the lives of 327 people in 2021. But numbers don't tell the story – each one of these people is someone's friend, family member and/or loved one. This public health emergency – declared nearly six years ago – tragically shows no sign of subsiding.
The status quo approach to substance use has proven to be ineffective and harmful to people who use drugs and those who care for them. Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe is calling on decision makers to act.
“The reality is this: every day we wait to act, six more people will die. COVID-19 has shown what is possible when governments act decisively to save lives. And in order to save lives in this public-heath emergency, we need to provide people with access to the substances they need, where and when they need them. Time has run out for research and discussion. It is time to take action."
Responding to this crisis must involve a multitude of approaches, including addressing stigma. We all play a key role in examining our assumptions and perceptions about people who use drugs. As health care providers, we must think about how we, as individuals and as system, can better support people who are suffering, are in pain and are self-medicating. Work is underway at the provincial and federal levels to decriminalize small personal possession of substances and this will help reduce stigma and help us respond to substance use as the health care issue that it is.
We know there is more work to do. This has been and remains a key priority for Island Health, and more services and supports are coming over the next year.
Learn More
Find out more about preventing overdose:
- Overdose Prevention Services (Island Health)
- StopOverdose.ca (Ministry of Mental Health and Addictions)
- Overdose in BC During COVID 19 (BCCDC)