When Glenn Mahoney stepped into the spotlight at Overdose Prevention Day at the B.C. legislature, he carried a heartbreaking message shaped by years of confronting unimaginable loss. His son, Michael, lost his battle with substance use at the tender age of 21, a victim of a system he believes has repeatedly failed him.

"Death. Too much preventable death," Glenn declared, highlighting the staggering toll of over 17,000 lives lost to toxic drug use in British Columbia since the declaration of a public health emergency in April 2016. The shameful reality that 2,000 more deaths have occurred since last year's gathering has left Glenn baffled by the lack of public outrage.

Laying Bare the Tragedy of Addiction

At the event, families affected by the crisis lay sprawled on the steps of the legislature, covered by flags as a solemn tribute to their lost ones. Signs proclaiming "They were so loved," alongside photos representing a heartbreaking range of ages, from young teens to adults, painted a vivid and tragic picture.

In her speech, Lisa Lapointe, former B.C. chief coroner, pointed out that drug toxicity is the leading cause of death for people aged 19 to 59. She questioned, "What could be more important?" urging the government to adopt standardized, evidence-based, and freely accessible treatment options.

A Family's Descent into Despair

Despite being educated professionals, Glenn and his wife faced insurmountable challenges in navigating the health care system to help Michael. The treatment options available to them were costly and often stigmatizing. They were limited to expensive abstinence-based programs that, in Glenn’s eyes, ridiculed individuals for using prescribed medications.

Michael's promising moments of stability, facilitated through pharmaceutical alternatives known as 'safe supply,' were tragically cut short when he lost access to these life-saving resources, ultimately leading him to seek dangerous street drugs that took his life.

Systemic Failures and Missed Opportunities

Michael's case was highlighted in a coroners’ review in 2020, illustrating the series of unfortunate encounters the family had with the health care system. They faced rejections from Island Health and community psychiatrists, with Glenn lamenting, "At every point and every encounter, the system made his condition worse. It's a failure of public policy."

Calls for Systemic Change

Experts like Lapointe and Dr. Kelsey Roden of Doctors for Safer Drug Policy emphasized that despite the establishment of overdose prevention sites and movements towards decriminalization, deaths continue because the stigma and prohibition surrounding drug use remain largely unchallenged. They urge that addressing these issues as a health crisis is essential and criticized the exorbitant fees charged by private treatment centers for unstandardized care.

"Pharmaceutical alternatives are crucial to stabilizing individuals, helping them step away from the chaotic drug trade and towards a brighter future," said Lapointe.

A Mother's Promise to Fight On

For Glenn and Jan Mahoney, their vow is clear: to persist in their battle until no other family suffers the same devastating loss. They remember their son as a "creative, artistic, funny, caring and polite" young man who once graced the stage with Victoria Opera.

Jan passionately stated, "If I have to be here every year until I'm 100, I'm going to be here to tell the government that this is not good enough. These lives matter." Their story is a poignant reminder that behind every statistic lies a heartbreaking personal tale, pushing for urgent change within a system that has failed so many.