Overdose crisis having a domino effect

According to BC Emergency Health Services, several communities have seen a sharp increase in overdose calls, including here in Prince George. Stephen Burns the vice-president for the Ambulance and Paramedics of B.C. says this not only affects loved ones but can also cause major emotional trauma to those trying to save a patient who has overdosed.

“Everyone of these tragedies takes a little bit more of the first responders that are on scene and that devastation and you’re right, that isn’t something that we leave at the scene when we go to the next. We carry it with us from call to call, we carry it back to our families.”

According to statistics, last year was an extremely deadly year between the overdose crisis this and the pandemic. Many people lost their lives including Jade Watts, who lost her father to an overdose last year.

“I was devastated and sad because in my head I knew my dad wanted to go get treatment, you know he wanted help, it wasn’t like he was down there and just didn’t care about life”

1716 people lost their lives to the overdose crisis last year alone, with 2021 shaping up to be worse than the year before.

Advocates believe more needs to be done to deal with this epidemic. Their question is, is the B.C. government willing to step up to fast-track solutions. They say this is not just a street issue, it has effects in homes across the Province, especially here in Prince George and its ripple effect is felt across the board.

by Randi-Marie Adams

Overdose crisis having a domino effect

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