Minister’s, Provincial Health Officer’s Statements On The Toxic-Drug Public Health Emergency Anniversary

The province’s health minister and provincial health officer have issued statements marking the ninth anniversary of the toxic-drug crisis being declared a public health emergency.

Since that time, Minister of Health Josie Osborne said thousands of people, each one a valued member of their community, have been lost and each loss leaves lasting grief for the people who knew and loved them.

Her statement said the crisis continues to have a devastating impact throughout British Columbia, from families and communities to the front-line workers who provide care, support and compassion in the face of unimaginable loss.

Noting substance use is shaped by many complex factors, including trauma, mental- and physical-health challenges, poverty, stigma and barriers to stable housing and support, Osborne said ending the crisis requires an equally complex and compassionate response, one that prioritizes care over judgment.

Dr. Bonnie Henry, provincial health officer, said while we have seen some glimmers of hope in this past year with a decline in deaths, there remains much to do to ensure there are supports when needed at every point in a person’s journey.

“Whether it is being able to have a conversation with a trusted loved one, peer or medical worker, access to life-saving naloxone, or a safe place to have drugs tested, we have seen how these harm-reduction measures make a difference and save lives,” she said.

To learn more, visit Government of British Columbia.