The BC Green Party has revealed what they would do to address the toxic drug crisis that has killed over 15,100 since April 2016 when the public health emergency was initiated.
Sonia Furstenau, leader of the BC Greens says that this is an urgent emergency that needs more attention in the form of long-term solutions and not quick fixes.
According to the BC Coroners Service, drug poisoning continues to be the leading cause of death for people aged 10 to 59 in BC.
These deaths account for more deaths than homicides, suicides, car crashes and natural disease combined.
Additionally, from 2019 to 2023, at least 126 children and youth lost their lives to toxic drugs.
“We are losing parents, children, elders and friends. There isn’t a single person in this province untouched by this crisis,” said Furstenau in her policy proposal announcement.
“While the other parties are choosing to dehumanize people who use drugs, we are guided by evidence and rooted in the belief that government should focus on saving lives and ensuring services are available to all British Columbians.”
She added that she believes regulated pharmaceutical alternatives to the toxic illicit drug market have to be part of the response to this public health emergency.
“We must also recognize that the toxic illicit drug supply is killing people who are not dependent on substances,” Furstenau continued.
“Occasional substance users, recreational users and first-time users are dying or being severely injured by the toxic supply.
The BC Green Party’s proposal for policies that would address the toxic drug crisis:
- Expand access to regulated, safe pharmaceutical alternatives by:
- Broadening safer supply programs by expanding access to prescribed safer supply programs and Opioid Agonist Treatment (OAT)
- Introducing a demedicalized model to reduce stigma and barriers in the current system and explore a non-prescriber model for regulated pharmaceutical alternatives in collaboration with health authorities and advocacy groups
- Regulate treatment and recovery programs:
- Improve standard of care by establishing an evidence-based standard for treatment and recovery services that would be regularly updated by experts and individuals with lived experience
- Create a centralized database to track treatment outcomes, service availability, and adherence to the new standards that would ensure transparency and accountability
- Create comprehensive education and prevention programs:
- Improve drug education in schools by providing all schools with evidence-based, up-to-date drug safety information to equip students with the knowledge to make informed decisions
- Enhancing mental health support in every school, with early intervention to prevent substance use
“We have the solutions to end this crisis, we just need the will to act,” said Furstenau.
“The evidence-based policies that experts have long called for are within our reach, and by implementing them, we can save lives.”
She added that to improve the province’s current situation, people’s basic needs must be met, including stable housing, adequate food, accessible social services and supportive communities.
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Lisa Lapointe, former chief coroner for the Province believes that the Greens’ plan is in line with what BC needs.
“These heart-breaking losses will continue until we respond with an urgent, comprehensive, plan that is grounded in evidence,” she said.
“The BC Green Party’s proposed drug policy reflects that plan. It is a thoughtful, people-first policy that reflects the knowledgeable advice of healthcare professionals and experts, and recognizes the critical need for evidence and evaluation.”
Lapointe also noted that with so many people at risk of imminent harm, evidence-based treatment is essential, as is collaboration.
The Conservative Party of BC has been vocal on their intention to cut funding for safe-supply programs as well as safe-consumption sites, re-criminalizing illicit drugs and cracking down on substance users by implementing mandatory treatment in their election campaign thus far.
The BC NDPs have not announced any new policy proposal or direction other than to continue trying to open treatment centres throughout the province to improve access to treatment.
