Seven years ago, B.C. declared a public health emergency after overdose deaths reached unprecedented levels.Â
Since then, over 11,000 British Columbians have lost their lives to illicit toxic drugs.Â
On Friday, which marked the seven-year anniversary of the emergency being declared, families, loved ones, and advocates gathered across the province calling for rapid government action, including access to safe supply and better mental health services.Â
With nearly 2,300 British Columbians dying from toxic drugs last year, it remains the leading cause of unnatural death in the province, even ahead of car crashes.
This March, B.C. Emergency Health Services (BCEHS) saw an average of 119.9 overdoses a day, the highest
