BC Sees 9% Drop in Toxic Drug Deaths Thanks to Community Harm Reduction Efforts

In a promising development amidst the ongoing toxic drug crisis, the BC Coroners Service has reported a nine percent decrease in toxic drug-related deaths in the province during the first ten months of 2024. This decline has been met with cautious optimism by community organizations such as ANKORS, which attribute a significant portion of this positive trend to their harm reduction initiatives. Paulette Sutherland, the Team Lead at ANKORS and Coordinator of the Moving Mountains Community Action Team, emphasized the critical role of their drug-checking program, which is supported by Interior Health. “The biggest way we can prevent these deaths is through our robust drug-checking program,” Sutherland stated. This initiative enables those at risk to have their substances tested, ensuring they are informed about the drugs circulating in their communities and reducing the likelihood of fatal overdoses. Despite the overall reduction in deaths – with 1,925 fatalities reported across British Columbia – Sutherland warned that the crisis is far from over. She highlighted the persistent risks faced by rural communities, noting, “We know the drugs that are in different communities, especially in rural areas, come to other towns like Cranbrook.” A recent death in the area underscores that the toxic drug emergency remains a pressing issue, even if not yet reflected in statistical data. ANKORS is committed to supporting individuals who seek help, offering a range of services that facilitate connections to essential resources. “When people come in, they get connected to other services and I can’t say enough about the importance of that this year,” Sutherland said. Through their outreach, users can access health professionals, human resources, and other critical support systems, reinforcing the idea that collaborative community responses are essential to saving lives. Public education is another cornerstone of ANKORS’s approach, with a strong focus on dispelling stigma associated with drug use. The organization actively promotes awareness of the toxic drug emergency and provides training on life-saving interventions like naloxone, a medication that can reverse opioid overdoses. “Naloxone training and harm reduction principles and practices is a really big part of our work,” Sutherland remarked, highlighting the need for both public and agency engagement in these trainings. The impact of these initiatives is underscored by local statistics, which indicate that in the Kootenay Boundary, 30 lives were lost to toxic drugs, while 18 fatalities were reported in the East Kootenay during the same timeframe. These numbers, while reflective of a troubling reality, also demonstrate the dire need for continued investment in harm reduction strategies. As the province navigates the complexities of the toxic drug crisis, organizations like ANKORS remain at the forefront, advocating for policies and programs that prioritize health, safety, and education. Their work not only addresses immediate dangers but also seeks to foster a more supportive and informed community, essential for overcoming the challenges posed by substance use.