Anti-Stigma
"At any given time, an estimated 225,000 people are using illicit drugs in B.C. People who use
drugs — and therefore, people who may be affected by this crisis — are from all walks of life, including people who are unhoused and stably housed, people living in cities, suburbs and small towns as well as rural and remote areas. They are in their teens, young adulthood and middle age; some use casually and infrequently, others daily and may or may not have a substance use disorder. Anyone can be impacted by toxic drugs, and too many families in B.C. understand first-hand the challenges that exist for their loved ones when seeking care and support. When public policy on substance use and treatment of people who use drugs is based on stigma and morality, rather than evidence and respect for fundamental human dignity, harmful policies result. The health crisis facing people who use drugs is created by these bad policies, including attempts at drug prohibition” (BC Office of the Human Rights Commissioner, A human rights-based approach to the toxic drug crisis Commissioner’s position statement, November 2025, p. 5)
Anti-Stigma Resources:
