YOUR PERSPECTIVE: Urgent action needed to prevent toxic drug deaths among B.C. youth

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Government must step up and take a new approach, as the current strategy is doing nothing to keep people safe. The NDP’s failure in this regard is especially clear when you consider that 73 per cent of the youths who died from toxic drugs were receiving government care at the time of their death. Less than half of the youth treatment beds promised by government have been delivered and previously discussed stabilization care legislation was walked back earlier this year.

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Additionally, according to the BC Coroner’s Service report, there has also been a dramatic increase in youth drug toxicity deaths where hydromorphone was present. Most notably, the increase has taken place in the years following the launch of “safe supply” in British Columbia. Last year, hydromorphone was detected in more than one-fifth of all youth drug toxicity deaths.

According to addictions specialists and drug manufacturers, the misuse of hydromorphone can lead to the onset of new addiction, and even death, especially if used in combination with other substances. As a drug supplier, the government should be responsible for ensuring there are no unintended consequences, injuries, or deaths resulting from their publicly supplied addictive drugs, but this report shows that accountability just isn’t there.

It’s hard to come away from the report with any conclusion other than that this NDP government is failing B.C. children.

We cannot afford to wait any longer for our government to overhaul the mental health and addictions system in our province. We must prioritize a comprehensive system of care for people of all ages, as well as one that acts in the best interest of youth to ensure that children and their families have access to free, on-demand treatment and resources.

We know that better is possible, but the current government has shown no evidence they are capable of delivering it for British Columbians.

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Editor’s Note: This opinion piece reflects the views of its author, and does not necessarily represent the views of Fraser Valley Today or Pattison Media.