The toxic drug crisis is a public health emergency. Toxic drugs are the leading cause of death for British Columbians aged 19 to 39, and the second leading cause of death overall.

People experiencing addiction come from all walks of life. They are colleagues, partners and parents. They have passions, jobs and hobbies. They love, care and feel. They’re part of our society, and they deserve compassion, dignity and access to care.

Stigma has a big impact on people who use drugs or experience addiction. It can isolate them and make them reluctant to seek help and support, leading to less safe use and more overdose deaths.

But things are changing. We’re working to change the conversation on drug use and help people who need it—and you can help, too.

People use substances for different reasons. It might start with a prescription for pain or a way to cope with traumatic experiences. There are many contributing factors to substance use dependency.

But addiction is not a choice—it’s a medical condition due to chemical changes in the brain. And regardless of how or why it started, everyone deserves the chance to manage or treat the condition.

Recovering from addiction is much more complicated than just stopping drug use.

When someone uses drugs, chemical changes can occur in their brain that make it challenging for them to live without substances. Stopping “cold turkey,” or abruptly, can be dangerous. There are supports available for people who want to stop using drugs or to use drugs more safely.

Tough love doesn't help. People with addictions deserve the same kindness and compassion we show others with medical conditions. Tough love can push people away, making them feel alone and less likely to seek help. Giving someone your support is not enabling their addiction. Reaching out with compassion can make all the difference.

Labels like “addict” can make people feel powerless and ashamed, or make people feel like they don’t deserve support or recovery.

Everyone has a right to control their own health and wellbeing, including when it comes to substance use. People may have different goals for themselves in terms of safer use, treatment or recovery. Every path to wellness is unique.