Next week marks the 10th anniversary of the declaration of a public health emergency in response to British Columbia's drug overdose crisis, which has since claimed more than 18,000 lives. Grieving friends and families, former policy makers, medical workers and those who use drugs are reflecting on the disastrous decade and what could have been done differently to save more lives.
Published:
Image 0 of 16
10th anniversary of B.C. overdose emergency People march down Hastings St. during a rally to condemn the recent arrests of Drug User Liberation Front’s (DULF) founders and raids as well as advocating for the continuation of safe supply drugs in in Vancouver, on Friday, Nov. 3, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns
10th anniversary of B.C. overdose emergency Lenae Silva, who utilizes British Columbia's safe supply program of prescription opioids, poses for a photograph in Nanaimo, B.C., on Thursday, March 26, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
10th anniversary of B.C. overdose emergency Onlookers watch as paramedics perform chest compressions to an individual in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside Thursday, Sept. 10, 2020. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jonathan Hayward
10th anniversary of B.C. overdose emergency Paramedic supervisor Ian Tait poses for a photograph in Chilliwack, B.C., on Wednesday, March 11, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
10th anniversary of B.C. overdose emergency Meredith Dan holds a photo of her late son Glenn Rebic, who died of a fentanyl overdose in 2019 at the age of 29, while posing for a photograph at the China Creek skatepark where he used to skateboard, in Vancouver, on Friday, March 13, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
10th anniversary of B.C. overdose emergency Lenae Silva, left, who utilizes British Columbia's safe supply program of prescription opioids, poses for a photograph with her fiance Kent Sexton, in Nanaimo, B.C., on Thursday, March 26, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
10th anniversary of B.C. overdose emergency Paramedic supervisor Ian Tait poses for a photograph in Chilliwack, B.C., on Wednesday, March 11, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
10th anniversary of B.C. overdose emergency Maria Rantanen shows her tattoo of her late son Michael Rantanen's signature on her forearm, while posing for a photograph in Vancouver, on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. Her son died of a fentanyl overdose in 2022 at the age of 25. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
10th anniversary of B.C. overdose emergency Meredith Dan holds her late son Glenn Rebic's skateboard, while posing for a photograph at the China Creek skatepark where he used to skateboard, in Vancouver, on Friday, March 13, 2026. Rebic died of a fentanyl overdose in 2019 at the age of 29. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
10th anniversary of B.C. overdose emergency Photographs of overdose victims are displayed as members of Moms Stop the Harm mark International Overdose Awareness Day, in Vancouver, on Thursday, August 31, 2023. More than 12,000 lives have been lost to illicit drugs since the province declared a public health emergency in April 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
10th anniversary of B.C. overdose emergency Maria Rantanen holds a photo of her late son Michael Rantanen, who died of a fentanyl overdose in 2022 at the age of 25, while posing for a photograph in Vancouver, on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
10th anniversary of B.C. overdose emergency Paramedic supervisor Ian Tait checks equipment in an ambulance, in Chilliwack, B.C., on Wednesday, March 11, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
10th anniversary of B.C. overdose emergency Maria Rantanen sits by artwork painted by her late son Michael Rantanen, who died of a fentanyl overdose in 2022 at the age of 25, while posing for a photograph in Vancouver, on Wednesday, March 18, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
10th anniversary of B.C. overdose emergency Michelle Jansen holds a photo of her late son, Brandon Jansen, who died of a fentanyl overdose at a rehab facility days before his 21st birthday in 2016, while posing for a photograph in Maple Ridge, B.C., on Friday, March 20, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
10th anniversary of B.C. overdose emergency Michelle Jansen holds a photo of her late son, Brandon Jansen, who died of a fentanyl overdose at a rehab facility days before his 21st birthday in 2016, while posing for a photograph in Maple Ridge, B.C., on Friday, March 20, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
10th anniversary of B.C. overdose emergency Meredith Dan holds her late son Glenn Rebic's skateboard, while posing for a photograph at the China Creek skatepark where he used to skateboard, in Vancouver, on Friday, March 13, 2026. Rebic died of a fentanyl overdose in 2019 at the age of 29. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
