The number of fatal overdoses in British Columbia (B.C.) has reached alarming levels, with it now being the leading cause of death for individuals under the age of 59. To shed light on the harrowing journey to recovery, a group of teenage users who have overcome their addiction to ‘hard drugs’ shared their stories. One such teenager, Madison, started using hydromorphone, also known as “dillies,” at the age of 13. Her addiction quickly escalated to using fentanyl to sustain her habit, and she came dangerously close to death multiple times. After two years of struggling with addiction, Madison sought help and is now in recovery. She wants Canadians to understand that hydromorphone abuse is prevalent among teenagers in her hometown of Port Coquitlam and attributes the worsening addiction crisis to Canada’s “safer supply” and harm-reduction programs.
In 2021, B.C. became the first province in Canada to implement a ‘safer supply’ program, aiming to provide accessible pharmaceutical opioids as an alternative to potentially-tainted illicit substances. The program was introduced in response to the alarming number of deaths caused by illicit drug poisoning among British Columbians aged 19 to 39. However, despite the implementation of the program, fentanyl-related fatalities have continued to increase year after year, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to the B.C. Coroners Service (BCCS), there have been 184 deaths caused by illicit drugs, with over 1,200 deaths reported this year alone. These numbers represent a 17% increase compared to June of the previous year and a 2% increase compared to May. Drug overdoses have been responsible for the deaths of 12,264 individuals in B.C. since April 2016 and over 32,000 people nationwide. Fentanyl is the main culprit, contributing to 76% of these deaths.
Madison, now 15, shared her personal experience and emphasized the destructive impact of opioids on not only the individuals using them but also their families and communities. She revealed that “dillies” have become increasingly common among her peers, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic. Giuseppe Ganci, a recovering former addict who now works with teenage users, echoed her sentiment, stating that without severe consequences, he would have lost his life after struggling with addiction for over 20 years.
The temporary decriminalization of small amounts of ‘hard drugs’ in B.C. has also sparked controversy. The move was meant to save lives by reducing the fear and shame associated with substance use and encouraging people to seek support. However, critics argue that decriminalization alone will not address the root causes of addiction or prevent overdoses. Some addicts, such as Ganci, claim that addiction treatment should focus more on dissuasion and prevention rather than decriminalization.
The ‘safe supply’ program has faced criticism from addiction medicine experts who argue that the replacement drug, hydromorphone, is not potent enough to satisfy fentanyl users. They argue that many users still turn to the black market for ‘hard drugs’ after consuming hydromorphone only to pass urine and traffic tests. The street price of hydromorphone has even fallen substantially in areas with ‘safer supply’ programs, leading to more abuse among users, including young people.
Chief Coroner Lisa LaPointe, however, refutes the claim that a safer supply of drugs has contributed to fatal overdoses, stating that “illicit fentanyl continues to drive the crisis.” She emphasizes that the crisis affects people across all communities, not just those accessing illicit substances.
The overdose crisis in B.C. has grown exponentially since the onset of the COVID pandemic, surpassing combined deaths from homicides, suicides, accidents, and natural diseases. Overdose deaths reached 175 in July 2020, marking five consecutive months of increasing incidences, while the province confirmed 203 COVID deaths during the same period. In 2020, a total of 4,605 people died from accidental poisonings, increasing to 6,310 the following year. The number of fatal overdoses has increased tenfold since 2001.
The efforts to address the addiction crisis in B.C. and across Canada continue to generate debate and criticism. While harm-reduction measures like the ‘safer supply’ program aim to provide alternatives and support for those struggling with addiction, many argue that more focus should be placed on dissuasion, prevention, and comprehensive addiction treatment programs. As the devastating impact of opioids persists, finding effective solutions to combat this crisis remains a pressing challenge for policymakers and healthcare professionals.
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