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By Caden Fanshaw

OVERDOSE CRISIS

Local parents gather on 6th anniversary of overdose crisis

Apr 14, 2022 | 6:44 PM

PRINCE GEORGE – April 14, 2022 marks six years since BC declared a public health emergency due to the province’s opioid overdose crisis.

Local parents gathered outside the office of local MP Todd Doherty to mark the occasion, not only remembering the sons and daughters they had lost but also calling for action.

Parents stood in front of empty chairs with pictures of their son or daughter lost in the opioid crisis.

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Corrine Woods who lost her son Tony spoke to CKPG News calling for greater awareness of the ongoing crisis, and demanding action from politicians to prevent so many more from becoming victims of the crisis.

Since January 2016, overdoses are responsible for claiming the lives of over 9400 British Columbians.

The latest numbers from February showed the 17th consecutive month to record over 150 deaths due to illicit drugs, with totals showing little to no improvement despite efforts made by several levels of government.

The parents also invited community members, Positive Living North, and a local pharmacist to give free naloxone kit workshops.

BC’s Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe released a statement Thursday calling for big improvements to BC’s current approach including a better safe supply, and the decriminalization of illicit drugs.

Premier John Horgan; Sheila Malcolmson, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions; and Dr. Bonnie Henry, provincial health officer, issued a joint statement on the anniversary vowing to take action.

“Our hearts go out to those affected by the toxic drug crisis. This is an anniversary that cannot continue. We need to come together to protect British Columbians now and into the future. While we are making progress, we know there is much more to do.

“We won’t stop working until we’ve turned this crisis around and a strong, comprehensive system of mental health and addictions care is there to support all British Columbians on their pathway to hope.”