B.C. toxic drug crisis still rages — 8 years after declaring public health emergency
Sunday marked eight years to the day since the province declared a public health emergency related to the deadly toxic drug crisis, a sombre anniversary as frontline workers in public health reflect on the more than 14,000 people who have died since.
![B.C. toxic drug crisis still rages — 8 years after declaring public health emergency](https://i.cbc.ca/1.6718687.1674087266!/cpImage/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/16x9_620/overdose-crisis-bc-20220209.jpg)
![Laura Shaver, back left, speaks gathering to remember those who died from a suspected illicit drug overdose, in Vancouver, on Wednesday, February 9, 2022. The B.C. Coroners Service announced that 2,224 people died from a suspected illicit drug overdose in 2021. The Drug User Liberation Front (DULF), Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users (VANDU) and B.C. Association of People on Opiate Maintenance distributed a tested supply of illicit drugs to users after the gathering in a call for a safer drug supply. A woman speaks at a mic in front of a group of people in a small room. A banner hangs above them reading 'In memory of our members who lost their lives to the drug war and war on the poor'.](https://i.cbc.ca/1.6718687.1674087266!/cpImage/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/16x9_620/overdose-crisis-bc-20220209.jpg)
Sunday marked eight years to the day since the province declared a public health emergency related to the deadly toxic drug crisis, a sombre anniversary as frontline workers in public health reflect on the more than 14,000 people who have died since.