April 14th: A Day to Remember and Reignite Action in the Toxic Drug Crisis

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To grasp the gravity of the ongoing toxic drug crisis, it’s vital to understand its history and the current state of affairs. This document offers a comprehensive look, beginning with the 2016 public health emergency declaration in British Columbia and examining the government’s response. It then details the tragic toll of the crisis, highlighting the need for evidence-based solutions, compassionate support for grieving families, and crucial harm-reduction strategies. This information serves as a foundation for informed action.

April 14th marks a somber anniversary: the date when British Columbia formally declared a public health emergency in response to the escalating crisis of drug-related deaths (Government of British Columbia. (2016, April 14). Provincial health officers declare a public health emergency. Retrieved from: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2016hlth0026-000568) Initially termed the “overdose crisis,” the shift in language to the “toxic drug crisis” is significant and reflects a deeper understanding of the issue. The term “overdose” can imply individual responsibility, whereas “toxic drug crisis” highlights the increasingly unpredictable and contaminated nature of the illicit drug supply, where substances are often laced with potent and lethal adulterants like fentanyl and benzodiazepines. This change in terminology emphasizes the systemic factors at play and the urgent need for a public health response that goes beyond individual choices.  (Fraser Health. (N.D). Language Matters. Retrieved from: https://www.fraserhealth.ca/-/media/Project/FraserHealth/FraserHealth/Health-Topics/Mental-Health-Substance-Use/Harm-reduction/Language_Matters_July_2022.pdf).

See here a comprehensive report of “Escalating BCS Response to the Overdose Crisis”

Government Response in 2016:

Upon declaring the public health emergency in 2016, the BC government took immediate steps, primarily focused on harm reduction measures aimed at preventing immediate deaths. Key actions included:  

Nine Years Later: The Devastating Toll:

Nine years into this ongoing crisis, the human cost is immense and continues to grow. Up until the latest available data:

  • Across Canada:
  • In British Columbia:
    • BC remains one of the hardest-hit provinces. The BC Coroners Service provides regular updates on the number of illicit drug toxicity deaths. 
    • 4.9 deaths per day.
    • In 2025, 68% of those dying were aged 30 to 59, and 79% were male. Please visit this link to view a report on youth drug toxicity deaths.
    • In 2025, 81% of unregulated drug deaths occurred inside
      • 46% in private residences and 35% in other inside residences including social and supportive housing, SROs, shelters, and hotels and other indoor locations) and 18% occurred outside in vehicles, sidewalks, streets, parks, etc. 
    • Smoking was the most common mode of consumption in 2025 with 57%
      • nasal insufflation (14%), injection (13%), and oral (4%). 
    • In 2025, fentanyl was detected in 77%, methamphetamine in 52%, bromazolam in 46%, desalkylgidazepam in 42%, flurofentanyl in 42%, and hydromorphone in 3% of unregulated drug deaths that have undergone expedited toxicology testing.
    • BC Coroners Service. (2025, January). Unregulated Drug Toxicity Deaths in B.C. (to January 30, 2025) [Data file]. Province of British Columbia. https://www2.gov.bc.ca/assets/gov/birth-adoption-death-marriage-and-divorce/deaths/coroners-service/statistical/bccsjan2025pdfdashboard.pdf
  • In the Tri-Cities (Port Moody, Coquitlam, Port Coquitlam):
    • Publicly available, specific statistics for the Tri-Cities region can be more challenging to find aggregated in one place. Often, these numbers are included within the broader Fraser Health Authority data reported by the BC Coroners Service. 
    • Members of the Tri-Cities Community Action Team (TC CAT) have access to updated local statistics provided by Fraser Health; however, we are unable to share this data publicly out of respect for the privacy of grieving families within our close-knit community
    • Public Report Shared by Fraser Health
      • Compared to 2024, the greatest increases in (estimated) drug toxicity deaths in 2025 have been seen in Chilliwack (+192%), Coquitlam (+38%), and New Westminster (33%) (Table 1). • First Nations people account for 1.5% of all Fraser Salish population. Between January 1, 2022 and December 31, 2024, 8% of unregulated drug deaths were First Nations.
      • Compared to 2024, the largest decreases in the projected rate of paramedic-attended toxic drug poisoning events in 2025 have occurred in Port Coquitlam (-58%), Agassiz / Harrison# (-40%), and Port Moody / Anmore / Belcarra (-39%)
      • Fraser Health Authority. (2025, March 14). Toxic Drug Poisoning Monthly External Report – January 2025 [PDF file]. https://www.fraserhealth.ca/-/media/Project/FraserHealth/FraserHealth/Health-Topics/Overdose/Monthly-overdose-reports/TDP_monthly_external_report_JAN2025_20250314.pdf

Moving Forward: Evidence-Based Solutions and Prevention:

To prevent further loss of life and effectively address the toxic drug crisis, a multi-faceted approach grounded in evidence-based strategies is crucial. This includes:

Compassion for Grieving Families:

The loss of a loved one to the toxic drug crisis leaves an unimaginable void. Showing compassion and providing accessible grief support is paramount. Organizations like Moms Stop the Harm and Healing Hearts Bereavement Peer Support offer invaluable peer support and resources for families navigating this profound grief. Local hospices also provide specialized bereavement services. It is crucial to acknowledge the pain and offer pathways to healing for those left behind.  

Resources: 

Staying Safe: Harm Reduction for People Who Use Substances:

For individuals who continue to use substances, harm reduction strategies are vital to prevent further deaths:

  • Never use alone: If possible, use with someone who can call for help if needed. If using alone, utilize services like the National Overdose Response Service (NORS) app.
  • Start low and go slow: Use a small amount first to test the potency, as the drug supply is unpredictable.  
  • Carry naloxone and know how to use it: Naloxone can temporarily reverse opioid overdoses.
  • Know the signs of an overdose: These include slow or no breathing, blue lips or nails, gurgling or choking sounds, and unresponsiveness.
  • Utilize supervised consumption sites and overdose prevention services: These spaces provide a safer environment with trained staff who can intervene in case of an overdose.
  • Be aware of drug checking services: Where available, access drug checking to understand the contents of substances.
    • Where do I get my drugs tested?
    • Purpose Society
      • Mobile Outreach – (604)-351-1885 (7 days a week)

Includes: Harm reduction supplies for safer sex, injection, inhalation and snorting, Sharps disposal, Take Home Naloxone kits and training, Drug checking (fentanyl test strips), Hygiene supplies, Referrals to community resources, Emergency snacks, To report a “bad date” or obtain a warning sheet of dangerous “Johns.”, Sharps container pick-up (needle collection) from registered satellite sites

  • FTIR Spectrometer Drug Checking services
    • MON-THURS: NOON-9:30 PM FRIDAY
    • 11-5PM SUNDAY: 3:30-9:30 Drop samples off at 38 Begbie Street (Purpose Society) until 4:30 pm. After 4:30 pm, drop-off behind Purpose Society on Alexander Street (across from Ki Sushi) at the Safe Injection Site
    • Contact a Drug Checking Technician by text at 604-368-5719 or [email protected]
  • Get Your Drugs Tested

Understanding Substance Use: For the General Public:

People use substances for a variety of complex reasons. These can include:

  • Coping with pain: Physical, emotional, or psychological pain.
  • Mental health challenges: Self-medicating for anxiety, depression, or trauma.
  • Social factors: Peer pressure, fitting in, or cultural norms.
  • Recreation and pleasure: Seeking enjoyment or altered states of consciousness.
  • Addiction: A complex brain disease characterized by compulsive drug seeking and use despite harmful consequences.  

It’s crucial to approach this issue with empathy and understanding, recognizing the diverse factors that contribute to substance use.

Engel, G. L. (1977). The need for a new medical model: A challenge for biomedicine. Science, 196(4286), 129–136. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.847460

NIDA. (2024). Drugs, Brains, and Behavior: The Science of Addiction. National Institutes of Health. https://nida.nih.gov/publications/drugs-brains-behavior-science-addiction/drug-misuse-addiction

Education Tools:

https://betherecertificate.org

Why Purple Flags and a Memorial Walk at Lafarge Lake:

Purple has become a widely recognized color for overdose awareness, symbolizing remembrance and solidarity, particularly for those who have lost loved ones to the toxic drug crisis (Moms Stop The Harm, 2020). For the past three years, the Tri-Cities community has held a memorial to honor those taken too soon, aiming to unite the region in acknowledging the profound loss and the devastating impact of this crisis on individuals and families. However, the message of this memorial, held along the busy highway, was often lost amidst the noise and distraction of traffic, making it difficult to fully convey the gravity of the situation. This year, the Tri-Cities Community Action Team (TC CAT) is moving the memorial to the more serene and contemplative setting of Lafarge Lake (Tri-City News. (2024, February 29). You may see hundreds of purple flags while driving through the Tri-Cities on Sunday; here’s why. https://www.tricitynews.com/local-news/you-may-see-hundreds-of-purple-flags-while-driving-through-the-tri-cities-on-sunday-heres-why-8581599). This shift to a dedicated space for reflection and remembrance aims to create a more powerful and impactful experience, allowing people to walk amongst the purple flags – each one representing a life taken too soon.

This memorial walk seeks to bring the Tri-Cities together in unison, acknowledging the immense loss our community has experienced, fostering a sense of collective grief and shared responsibility. It is a powerful reminder that these were not just statistics on a page, but beloved members of our community, often losing their lives in the privacy of their own homes, not solely on the streets. TC CAT emphasizes the urgent need for residents to look out for one another, underscoring that this is a community-wide issue requiring a unified approach. By fostering empathy and informed action, dismantling the stigmas associated with substance use, and combatting the social isolation that can exacerbate the crisis, we can strive to create a more compassionate and responsive community, and ultimately, save lives.

Ultimately, addressing the toxic drug crisis requires both knowledge and empathy. This overview aims to provide a foundation for understanding the crisis’s complexities, from its historical context and devastating impact to effective strategies for prevention and support. By fostering empathy and informed action, we can strive to create a more compassionate and responsive community.

For a comprehensive list of resources; click here. 

And feel free to reach out: [email protected] 

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