B.C. mother to run across province, hold rallies on overdose crisis after son's death
A Victoria woman whose son died of a toxic drug overdose last year will be running across the province this spring calling for a faster response from the province and to connect local community members with resources.
After Jessica Michalofsky’s son, Aubrey, died last year, the island mom decided to run daily marathons around the B.C. Ministry of Health building in Victoria to call on the province to regulate the illicit drug supply and providing more resources and education to families.
Michalofsky ended up running more than 900 kilometres around the building through a series of marathons, and now she plans on running from Nelson, B.C., back to Victoria this spring.
Along the way, Michalofsky and other advocates plan on making stops in small communities to hold rallies and raise awareness about the crisis, particularly in rural communities which often lack access to crucial services, according to the Victoria woman.
"Our message is that toxic drug death is preventable. Our rallies will connect people to resources and raise awareness among families about the danger of toxic drugs," she said in a release Tuesday.
Michalofsky says that while her earlier marathons around the ministry of health building were directed at the provincial government, her upcoming run will be about connecting with community members, like people who use drugs, young people and their families.
"To battle systemic stigma, we need access to information, and we need to band together," she said. "If the government is slow to act, we will step in and help ourselves."
In 2022, B.C. recorded 2,272 illicit drug deaths, averaging more than six deaths per day.
Of that total, people aged 30 to 59 represented 70 per cent.
"I am so sorry – their lives mattered, and their deaths are our collective loss," said B.C. chief coroner Lisa Lapointe on Jan. 31.
"Drug toxicity remains the leading cause of unnatural deaths in B.C., significantly surpassing the number of fatalities linked to self-harm, motor vehicle accidents and homicide combined."
Michalofsky is planning the "Aubrey’s Run across BC to End Toxic Drug" for May and June of this year.
With files form CTV News Vancouver's Becca Clarkson
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6955136.1720438921!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Alice Munro's daughter says mom kept silent when stepfather sexually abused her
The youngest daughter of celebrated Canadian author Alice Munro has opened up about sexual abuse by her stepfather and the deep hurt she felt when her mother chose to support her husband instead of her child.
France's elections end up with no clear majority. This is what could happen next
Election results show French voters have chosen to give a broad leftist coalition the most parliamentary seats in pivotal legislative elections, keeping the far right away from power. Yet no party won an outright majority, putting France in an uncertain, unprecedented situation.
Novice northern Ont. driver charged with stunt driving, fleeing police on Hwy. 11 while allegedly impaired
A 31-year-old man from Milford Bay is facing multiple charges following a traffic stop last week.
A major Russian missile attack on Ukraine kills at least 28 people and hits a children's hospital
A major Russian missile attack across Ukraine killed at least 28 people and injured almost 100 on Monday, officials said, with one missile striking a large children’s hospital in the capital, Kyiv, where emergency crews searched the rubble for casualties.
Ottawa councillor, residents condemn arrival of 'hateful' group Diagolon 'Terror Tour'
A community group and an Ottawa city councillor have come forward to condemn the arrival of the far-right group Diagolon after it brought its 'Road Rage Terror Tour' to Ottawa over the weekend.
Heat warnings issued for most of Maritimes Monday and Tuesday, could extend into Wednesday for some regions
Heat warnings have been issued in Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and most of New Brunswick Monday and Tuesday.
Beryl makes landfall in Texas as a Category 1 hurricane, knocking out power to more than 1 million
Power outages are mounting along the Texas coast after Beryl came ashore Monday and lashed Houston with heavy rains and powerful winds as the storm moved inland.
No music, dimmed lights help shoppers during sensory-friendly hours at retailers
The subdued atmosphere is all part of a sensory-friendly experience Walmart Canada recently launched every Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday at its 403 stores in a bid to make shopping trips easier for people who have disabilities, who are sensitive to busied environments, or who are just looking for a quieter retail experience.
Popular weight-loss and diabetes medications linked to lower risk of some cancers, study finds
GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic and Wegovy may help lower the risk of certain cancers, a new study suggests.