5th Anniversary of the Declaration of the BC Public Health Emergency
British Columbians will be marking the 5th Anniversary of the declaration of the BC Public Health Emergency on Wednesday, April 14th, 2021.
If you would like to take help mark this important anniversary please see the list of suggested actions below or email strongertogether@momsstoptheharm.com for a list.
It is difficult to accept that five years have passed and over this time period there has been a startling lack of urgent response to this declared emergency by the BC provincial government. The number of toxic drug deaths has risen dramatically instead of declined.
Here are some facts!
7000+ people have died since the Public Health Emergency Declaration in 2016
5.3 people are dying per day in BC
there is now a measurable decrease in life expectancy at birth due to the overdose crisis (Statistics Canada)
2020 recorded the highest rate of deaths in one year (1,716)
80% of deaths occurred inside (private residences and other facilities)
In 2020 there was a 75% jump in annual overdose deaths
Illicit drug toxicity death rates among 19+ years have remained high
(BC Coroners Service)
The BC government is still delaying the implementation of evidence-based supports such as providing safe pharmaceutical alternatives to toxic street drugs, known as Safe Supply, to support people and dramatically reduce deaths. Moms Stop The Harm invites you to mark this important date by letting our provincial government know that it is completely unacceptable that people continue to die from the toxic supply of illicit drugs.
Co-Founder, Moms Stop The Harm - Leslie McBain
Suggested Actions for April 14, 2021 - 5th anniversary
Create social media message with a photo collage
Here is a great opportunity to invite local MSTH advocates, family and friends to participate in a social media message for this day of action. You can download a free collage software program called “Canva'' and create strong visual messages utilizing one of the statements below or creating your own 9, 12 or 16-word message. Visit https://www.canva.com
This example was created for the last federal election. It is a COVID-19 friendly activity. Send each team member the phrase, assign each a word and have the photo sent back to you.
Before you post your collage to social media on April 14, 2021, please email your collage to strongertogether@momsstoptheharm.com.
Suggested phrases for your collage:
BAD/DRUG/POLICIES/AND STIGMA/EQUALS/THE/WORST/OVERDOSE/HEALTH/CRISIS/EVER/IN BC/SAFE SUPPLY/NOW!/CITY____***MSTH website
OUR/LOVED/ONES/DIE/WHILE/YOU/CONTINUE/TO TALK/HOW/MANY/DEATHS/DOES/IT TAKE/TO ENACT/ CHANGE ***MSTH website
NOT/ONE/MORE/DEATH/GRIEVING/HEARTS/OVERDOSE!/BC/NEEDS/SAFE/SUPPLY/DECRIM/DO/SOMETHING/NOW***MSTH website
PUBLIC/HEALTH/EMERGENCY/7000/DEATHS/IN/FIVE YEARS/HOW/MANY/HAVE/TO DIE?/SAVE/OUR/ LOVED/ONES***MSTH website
COVID friendly Demonstrations and Day of Action on the 14th
Moms Stop The Harm members are invited to organize COVID safe gatherings where participants can display signage marking the significance of the day! Suggestions of where to gather include: main intersections, local government offices, constituency offices and highway overpasses.
Examples of wording for your signage!
7000+ BC Residents died due to failed drug policies
1716 British Columbians killed in 2020
Five years into a Toxic Drug Supply!
5 years into a BC Public Health Emergency
Mom’s Stop The Harm Asks: What’s THE PLAN, John Horgan?
Moms Stop The Harm demands an end to the deaths!
Write a letter or speak to your MLA
We cannot be understated the value of sharing your story with decision-makers. We encourage you to write letters and share your story to advocate for change.
Instead of writing a letter, you can also book an appointment with your MLA. If you lost a loved one, bring their photo to the meeting and tell their story
See the contact information below.
Minister of Mental Health & Addictions @ sheila.malcolmson.MLA@leg.bc.ca
Premier Horgan @premier@gov.bc.ca
Min. of Health Dix @adrian.dix.MLA@leg.bc.ca