In North Vancouver, an alarming disparity in drug-related fatalities among First Nations people in British Columbia has emerged. Data indicates that First Nations individuals died from toxic drugs at nearly seven times the rate of others in 2024, highlighting the continued disproportionate impact of the drug crisis on Indigenous communities. Although they constitute only 3.4 percent of B.C.’s population, First Nations individuals accounted for 19 percent of the drug-related deaths last year, according to statistics from the First Nations Health Authority (FNHA).
The FNHA reported a total of 427 deaths among First Nations people, reflecting a 6.8 percent decrease from the previous year. Despite this decline, the death rate remains 6.7 times higher than that of other B.C. residents. This disparity is the largest since the province declared a public health emergency in April 2016 in response to escalating overdose deaths. The loss of these individuals has left deep scars on families, friends, and communities.
Particularly troubling is the toll on First Nations women, who died at a rate 11.6 times that of other female residents in 2024. Meanwhile, First Nations men suffered drug-related deaths at 5.2 times the rate of other males. Approximately half of these deaths occurred in individuals under the age of 40, compared to about 39 percent of other B.C. residents.
The toxic drug crisis has become a significant issue in the federal election campaign. Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre recently promised to halt harm reduction services, including safer supply programs and overdose prevention sites. Despite political tensions, evidence-based harm reduction initiatives have proven life-saving. From January 2018 to December 2022, collaboration between the FNHA and the BC Centre for Disease Control estimated that harm reduction measures prevented at least 1,024 deaths among First Nations people, particularly through take-home naloxone, medication-based treatments, and supervised consumption services.
The ongoing crisis has been exacerbated by the presence of fentanyl in illicit drugs, a substance found in 85 percent of drug-related deaths in B.C. today, compared to less than 5 percent in 2012. This, coupled with other additives like animal tranquilizers and benzodiazepines, has complicated treatment efforts.
The Human Angle
The disproportionate death rates among First Nations communities point to systemic issues that extend beyond the immediate drug crisis. Colonial legacies continue to place Indigenous populations at heightened risk, necessitating a more comprehensive approach to harm reduction. This includes addressing root causes of substance use such as historical trauma and systemic racism.
For ordinary citizens, the ongoing crisis and its impact on Indigenous communities call for a reevaluation of drug policies and community support systems. Increasing awareness and understanding of these issues is crucial in achieving equitable health outcomes for all populations. Moreover, public discourse needs to shift away from misinformation, focusing instead on informed, compassionate responses that prioritize human lives and dignity.
