“Overdose (OD) happens when a toxic amount of a drug, or combination of drugs overwhelms the body. People can overdose on lots of things, including alcohol, Tylenol, opioids or a mixture of drugs” - (harmreduction.org, 2021)
What is the overdose crisis?
Declared in British Columbia on April 14th, 2016, the term “opioid crisis” refers to the drug-related overdoses and deaths that are continuously rising, despite being in the 5th year of public health crisis declaration.
BC’s drug supply is poisoned -- commonly with fentanyl or benzodiazepines. Advocates argue for harm reduction, drug decriminalization and safe supply to ensure that people who use substances aren’t met with deadly outcomes.
There are many reasons that people use substances -- to cope, to feel, and to heal. These basic human needs deserve more than to be shrouded in stigma and consequently fatal aftermaths.