2021 marks the 5-year anniversary of the State of Emergency declared by the BC Government in 2016 in response to a dramatic increase in toxic drug poisoning deaths that year. While some services and prevention measures have been put in place to help reduce the number of toxic drug poisonings, the death toll continues to climb in British Columbia with 2020 being the deadliest year on record as communities across BC collectively lost 1,723 people.
In a report published by the BC Coroners Service in 2018, it was found that over half of those who died while employed were working in construction, trades, forestry, and transport – far higher than any other industry.
In partnership with Island Health, the Vancouver Island Construction Association (VICA) has developed this training to equip construction industry supervisors with the necessary tools to recognize and support staff in need while addressing stigma on the worksite.