YOUR PERSPECTIVE: Vulnerable people paying the price for NDP failures

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This is a statistic that is both utterly devastating and tragically unsurprising, given the increasingly deadly drug crisis that has claimed so many B.C. lives. This is compounded by a worsening housing crisis that has led to higher numbers of homeless than ever before.

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What the recent figures make abundantly clear is that the issues of homelessness, mental health and addiction, and housing are deeply intertwined in our province. Eighty-four percent of the more than 300 homeless British Columbians who died in 2022 lost their lives due to toxic drugs.

It’s also important to note that this was not just a Vancouver problem — Abbotsford, Langley, Chilliwack, and Surrey all saw deaths in the double digits.

This rising death toll cannot be interpreted as anything other than a stark indication of systemic failures. Premier David Eby and his NDP government have repeatedly failed to address the critical issues facing our province, and it is the most vulnerable British Columbians who have been left paying the highest price.

It is particularly difficult to understand the lack of progress on issues like housing, mental health and addictions when you realize that this government is spending more money than ever before. Somehow, the NDP has racked up the largest deficit in our province’s history, all while delivering less for British Columbians.

No one can look around and say the current approach is working — something needs to change, and soon. That’s why Kevin Falcon and our BC United Caucus have proposed the ‘Better is Possible’ plan, featuring a comprehensive and evidence-based approach to effectively address mental health and addictions.

‘Better is Possible’ would build a compassionate treatment and recovery-oriented system of care. It would save lives and prioritize getting people access to treatment that would put them on the path to future success.

Alongside a robust system addressing mental health and addictions, we would also take decisive action to build the housing B.C. desperately needs. We know that we must address this issue from every angle, truly giving people the opportunity to build the lives they deserve.

Unlike the current failing strategies of the NDP, Kevin Falcon and BC United are committed to a dramatic shift towards practical, proven solutions that will fix this crisis and keep people safe.——

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.