Today marks the 6th anniversary of the declaration of a BC public health emergency due to the overdose crisis that has claimed 9,410 lives since January of 2016.
In terms of Service Delivery Areas, both the Northwest and Northern Interior areas had among the top 5 highest rates of death.
Earlier today, Premier John Horgan, provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry and Mental Health and Addictions Minister Sheila Malcolmson gave a joint statement stating that the toxicity of the drug supply has increased faster than they have been able to create new services to handle it.
The comments come as groups that support B-C’s drug users plan to send free, safe supplies of drugs to communities around the province today — underlining the life-saving potential of a community-led response.
Also in relation to the day, Interior Health is flying black balloons in communities across BC to honor those lost to the crisis.
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