British Columbia’s overdose crisis continues to take a heavy toll, with the BC Coroners Service reporting 292 drug-related deaths in just two months. Significantly, 22 percent of these deaths were among workers in trades, transportation, and equipment operation — sectors critical to the province’s economy.
According to recent data, more than 80 percent of construction workers report mental health struggles, with substance abuse rates nearly double the national average. These challenges not only affect individual workers but also pose safety risks for co-workers, the public, and essential infrastructure.
Opposition Critics for Mental Health and Addictions and Labour emphasize that the current government’s drug policies are falling short, leaving working-class British Columbians vulnerable. They call for real, accessible treatment and recovery programs tailored to communities and industries hardest hit by this crisis.
In support of workers and the economy, they also champion the Build BC campaign, stressing that securing local jobs must coincide with protecting workers’ health and lives.
Without immediate and effective action, B.C. risks losing the very people who build its future.
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