‘We don’t have time’: Vancouver drug user advocates want swift action on safe supply recommendation

Although drug-user advocates endorse the latest provincial recommendations into how to stop the ever-rising number of deaths from toxic drugs in B.C., they stress that recommendations without urgent action won’t save lives.

On Wednesday, a report released by chief coroner Lisa Lapointe called on the government, the BC Centre for Disease Control, and the BC Centre on Substance Use to find a way toward a safer supply of drugs — with measurable action taken over the next 30, 60 and 90 days. The report looked at 6,007 deaths between August 2017 and July 2021 and found increasingly toxic drugs — coupled with a policy of prohibition — forces reliance on an increasingly volatile and poisoned supply of street drugs.

“Illicit drug toxicity is the leading cause of unnatural death in B.C., more than homicides, suicides, motor vehicle incidents, drownings and fire-related deaths combined,” according to the report.

“Although a number of provincial initiatives have been undertaken in an attempt to address the drug toxicity crisis, these initiatives have not been sufficient to stop the rising death toll.”

RELATED: Report on thousands of illicit drug deaths in B.C. makes case for safe supply

The Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users (VANDU) says more official support for a safe supply of drugs is welcome, pointing out the current medical, prescription-based model leaves out far too many people. Executive Director Brittany Graham says there are many barriers to accessing clean drugs through existing programs, and expanding them requires bringing more medical professionals on board.

“Doctors, nurses, nurse practitioners, pharmacists, and so all of those people need to be better educated on addiction services. People who use drugs themselves, we don’t have time for that anymore,” she said.

“Giving people a safe supply of drugs can be really confusing for them. We don’t have time for confusing anymore.”

VANDU and the Drug User Liberation Front (DULF) have applied to Health Canada for an exemption to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, in order to be able to run compassion clubs that distribute cocaine, heroin, and methamphetamine in tested, clean, and predictable compounds. Graham says this model of distributing a safe supply would be much easier and faster than expanding the medical program.

“It’s just getting worse and worse the more the drugs get worse and worse — and we all need to try something new. I think there is too much talk in general, we’re six years into this emergency,” Graham said, adding the presence of potent, poisonous substances like carfentanyl in the drug supply means it’s nearly impossible to keep oneself safe.

“I honestly believe that harm reduction at the individual level, where the individual person is making changes in their own drug use to protect their lives has reached its capacity. When your drugs are tainted, and you cannot know what is in them, and the system isn’t there to protect you, to help you better understand what’s in your drugs, then there’s really nothing you can do.”

RELATED: Drug user advocates say B.C.’s safe supply program still inaccessible, inadequate

Vancouver drug policy advisor Karen Ward agrees.

“People can be as safe as they as they try to be, but if they can’t access anything safer then this is all lip service,” she said.

“We can address it at the source in every community simply by reaching people and giving them the option — the simple option — of accessing something safer. We could do that, it’s just a matter of political will.”

Ward says the presence of timelines in Wednesday’s report is something she hasn’t seen before, and she finds it encouraging. However, the recommendations aren’t binding, and there are no consequences for failing to follow them — so advocacy remains vital.

“Let’s keep the pressure on the government here because otherwise this is just going to become another report, and we can’t let that happen.” 

Jon Braithwaite with VANDU says a shift in government response is long overdue, but like Ward, he’s not entirely convinced it’s coming.

“Six years seems like a hell of a long time to be travelling in the same direction. We’ve discussed this, the discussions have been discussed, and there’s been more discussions about the discussion beforehand. Let’s just take some action. It’s frustrating as a drug user to hear so much about discussions,” he said.

“Discussions are great, but they don’t get anything done.”

Graham says she lost 10 people she knows to the toxic supply last year.

“It’s great that they’re trying but it’s hard when there’s just a lot of talk,” she said, describing what it’s like for her living through this ongoing emergency.

“You come into work every day and you have no idea if this person is going to show up or not. When they don’t show up, you have to be worried about them. When there’s a rumour that somebody has died, and then you find out it’s not them, it’s a different person named David, you actually feel relieved. And then you feel really guilty that some other David died … I don’t think people realize how hard it is.”

Province to convene all-party committee

In the wake of the report, Premier John Horgan agreed to convene the Select Standing Committee on Health.

“All of us are shaken. All of us are rattled when we see 6,000 lives extinguished because of a toxic drug supply,” he said speaking in the legislature Wednesday afternoon.

“It will take more than just safe supply. It will take more than harm reduction. It will take more than treatment. It will take enforcement so that we can eliminate the scourge of people in our society that profit off of putting people in boxes — young men and women across this province. All of us feel the same sentiment here. All of us want to work together. We’ll strike the committee. We’ll put in place terms of reference. Let’s walk that walk, not just talk that talk.”

After nearly a year of advocacy together with MLA @ShirleyBond, I am relieved to see Premier @jjhorgan put it on record that he will activate the Select Standing Committee on Health and put in place terms of reference. The real work can finally begin. 1/ #bcpoli #SafeSupply

— Sonia Furstenau (@SoniaFurstenau) March 10, 2022

Green Party Leader Sonia Furstenau said this is something she asked for nearly a year ago.

“The B.C. Green Caucus first wrote to the premier to request this committee in May of 2021. Tragically, the number of deaths from the illicit drug supply has continued to break records,” she said in a statement.

“I am pleased that the all-party work can now begin. This is an opportunity for genuine collaboration between all parties in order to separate British Columbians from the toxic illicit drug supply and ultimately stop preventable deaths.”

With files from The Canadian Press