News

From sin to sickness to systems: Shifting perspectives on drug use and addiction

Column: B.C. ends decriminalization pilot but reaffirms harm reduction approach

‘Our hearts are broken’: Squamish Nation enacts emergency measures to fight against toxic drug crisis

Explainer: Understanding addiction means seeing the whole system

B.C. Human Rights Commissioner says stigmatizing drug use is a violation

Opinion: Charting a path forward for harm reduction on the Sunshine Coast

The toxic drug crisis has claimed the lives of over 16,000 people in BC since 2016. 

83 of these people were on the Sunshine Coast. 

While deaths across the province are declining, we must remain vigilant. Unregulated drug toxicity is now the leading cause of death in B.C. for people aged 19 to 59. As of June 2025, the number of unregulated drug deaths was equal to 4.9 deaths per day

“Mortality Context App,” BCCDC, 2025, https://bccdc.shinyapps.io/Mortality_Context_ShinyApp/.

 BC Coroners Service, “Unregulated Drug Toxicity Deaths.”

The stigma associated with drug use continues to stymie a forceful and united response to this crisis. Evidence informed policies and compassion should override politics and morality in order to save lives

Toxic drugs do not discriminate. These are family, friends, neighbors and co-workers who are impacted. 

BREAK THE STIGMA 

REDUCE THE HARMS

END THIS CRISIS