Protests, marches and memories: B.C.s toxic drug crisis emergency marks 9 years [Video]

It has been nine years since B.C. issued a public health emergency in response to the toxic drug crisis.

Marches were held across the province on Monday to remember those who have died and to honour those whose fight continues.

More than 16,000 lives have been lost due to unregulated toxic drugs since the emergency was declared in 2016.

B.C. Health Minister Josie Osborne and provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry issued a joint statement marking the sombre anniversary.

Henry said that while the number of people killed per month by toxic drugs is dropping, drug toxicity and unpredictability is increasing on the streets.

The First Nations Health Authority says that in 2024, 427 First Nations people across B.C. died from a toxic drug overdose.

That number is down 6.8 per cent from 458 First Nations people in 2023.

“We must never give in to complacency and fatigue when it …