The Drug Toxicity Crisis

There were  a record-setting 2,511 deaths attributed to illicit drug toxicity in British Columbia in 2023.(1)  

Nearly seven people die each day in BC of illicit drug overdose.

Many die alone at home.

Why are today’s drugs more toxic than ever before?

In 2012, investigators noted the introduction of fentanyl into the drug supply in British Columbia.

Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid that is more toxic than most other opioids. It’s 50 to 100 times more toxic than morphine, which makes the risk of accidental overdose higher.

Over the last 10 years the presence of fentanyl has grown to become commonplace in the illicit drug supply. In 2023, 85% of overdose deaths were associated with fentanyl.

No one using illicit drugs is safe.

  • “Part of my addiction is living a double life. I hid what I do in the shadows but on the outside it looks like I have it all together.”

    Celina, HFFS Graduate

  • “My obsession with using drugs was so powerful that nothing else could compete. My addiction cost me everything. I lost my license, my home, my marriage, my son, and ultimately, I lost my freedom.”

    Janco, HFFS Graduate

  • “For a parent, the constant worrying was exhausting. Every day. Every night. Always wondering: is he going to be alive in the morning? Now that he’s in recovery I can actually sleep. It changes everything.”

    Dad to Jordan, HFFS Graduate

  • “Each day, coroners across B.C. go into communities and retrieve the bodies of the dead. More than 2,500 families who lost a loved one this year didn't know they'd be among the statistics. How many more will join these statistics next year?"

    Lisa Lapointe, BC Chief Coroner

What can we do?

At Hope for Freedom we believe that the solution is to invest in an accessible path to recovery for everyone.

With the right support, a compassionate community and an effective curriculum, people who are ready to invest in themselves can heal from addiction and lead meaningful, productive lives. Hope for Freedom has a proven track record of over 25 years of helping men and women break free from addiction and start new lives.

We combat isolation with community.

Hope for Freedom’s commitment to cultivating a healthy community of people recovering from addiction is a key antidote to three main drivers of addiction: loneliness, isolation and trauma.

Footnotes