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.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 8, 2026.
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 skate park where he used to skateboard, in Vancouver, on Friday, March 13, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl DyckMeredith Dan holds her late son Glenn Rebic’s skateboard, while posing for a photograph at the China Creek skate park 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 DyckMeredith Dan holds her late son Glenn Rebic’s skateboard, while posing for a photograph at the China Creek skate park 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 DyckPhotographs of overdose victims are displayed as members of Moms Stop the Harm mark International Overdose Awareness Day, in Vancouver, on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl DyckMaria 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 DyckMaria 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 DyckMaria 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 DyckPeople 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 Vancouver, on Friday, Nov. 3, 2023. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan CairnsMichelle 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 DyckMichelle 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 DyckLenae 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 DyckLenae Silva, left, who utilizes British Columbia’s safe supply program of prescription opioids, poses for a photograph with her fiancé Kent Sexton, in Nanaimo, B.C., on Thursday, March 26, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl DyckParamedic supervisor Ian Tait poses for a photograph in Chilliwack, B.C., on Wednesday, March 11, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl DyckParamedic supervisor Ian Tait poses for a photograph in Chilliwack, B.C., on Wednesday, March 11, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl DyckParamedic supervisor Ian Tait checks equipment in an ambulance, in Chilliwack, B.C., on Wednesday, March 11, 2026. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck
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