Toxic drug deaths highly personal — and political — as B.C. marks 9 years since public health emergency began

published on April 14, 2025 by Courtney Dickson in CBC News

Nine years ago, former B.C. provincial health officer Dr. Perry Kendall declared a public health emergency in response to a sharp increase in deaths related to toxic drugs and drug overdoses.

Overdose deaths had been climbing steadily since 2010; the 474 deaths in 2015 were a 30 per cent increase from the year before.

Those annual numbers kept climbing, peaking at more than 2,500 deaths in 2023.

More than 16,000 people have died as a result of toxic drugs across B.C. in those nine years. Although recent numbers show those numbers could be declining, officials remain steadfast in their commitment to saving lives.

More than six British Columbians died per day due to toxic drugs last year…