The toxic drug crisis has deeply impacted lives across British Columbia — including my own. How many deaths are enough to prioritize human dignity?
Lisa Curry
Executive Director
The arrest of Drug User Liberation Front (DULF) founders Eris Nyx and Jeremy Kalicum by the Vancouver Police Department on Oct. 25, 2023 marked a significant setback for harm reduction efforts. For over a year, DULF had been advocating for safe drug distribution through its compassion club. With criminal charges looming, the community now faces the loss of a crucial lifeline.
The toxic drug crisis has deeply impacted lives across British Columbia. In 2019, I tragically lost my cousin to an overdose. Despite five years of sobriety, he relapsed after a tragic event and was poisoned by a toxic drug. I sometimes wonder if there was something I could have done, being only 10 minutes away, but he would have wanted space that night to grapple with his emotions. Like a lot of men, he didn’t have the tools to deal with intense pain.
Statistics from the BC Coroners Service report that of the 2,511 suspected drug deaths in 2023, a staggering 77 per cent of them were male and 80 per cent occurred indoors, while they were alone. These figures underscore the urgent need to prioritize harm reduction strategies over punitive measures, and to de-stigmatize and better understand trauma and addiction.
In the journey of recovery, relapses can be common. They serve as opportunities for introspection and growth, offering insights that can guide individuals towards sustainable sobriety. However, the absence of a regulated drug supply only exacerbates the risks associated with relapse, leaving individuals vulnerable to potent and sometimes lethal substances.
DULF’s advocacy extends beyond merely distributing safer drugs — it calls for systemic reforms that prioritize the preservation of life. Rather than perpetuating the cycle of prohibition and punishment, we must embrace evidence-based approaches rooted in compassion and understanding. Safer supply drug programs not only save lives now, but also pave the way for long-term recovery and healing.
It is imperative that governments and health care systems heed this call to action, working in tandem with grassroots organizations such as DULF to implement comprehensive harm reduction strategies. By de-stigmatizing addiction and providing access to safe and regulated substances, we can mitigate the devastating toll of the ongoing overdose crisis.
Let us stand together in solidarity with those affected by addiction, advocating for policies and practices that prioritize human dignity and well-being above all else.
For more information, visit www.dulf.ca
Statistics from the BC Coroners Service report that of the 2,511 suspected drug deaths in 2023, a staggering 77 per cent of them were male. Megaphone file photo.
Lisa Curry
Executive Director
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