Fixing fentanyl needs investments in health and housing to break deadly cycle

The fentanyl opioid crisis is a horrific public health emergency in Vancouver with an unprecedented overdose death toll. But solving it is possible with immediate and deliberate choices from all levels of government.

The latest numbers from 2016 show Vancouver had not only the highest number of deaths (215)but also the highest death rate from overdoses in B.C. This is staggering and heartbreaking not least because every one of these overdose deaths was preventable.

There is no doubt we are in a tragic public health crisis, and we need all levels of government across Canada to treat it that way.

Our most vulnerable people

All corners of Vancouver are affected by the fentanyl opioid crisis, but it's having a particularly devastating impact on our most vulnerable people.

• The Fentanyl Fix is a week long series exploring potential solutions to B.C.'s opioid overdose crisis.

Despite aggressively supporting harm reduction with North America's first supervised injection sites and extensive education, research and peer support in the community, we lack the basic health and housing supports to solve the crisis.

Today, there are an estimated 1,300 people in Vancouver using illicit opioids daily and not getting health care.

Users need treatment options that are immediate and accessible. Significantly improved access to opioid replacement therapy (Suboxone, methadone, prescription injectable heroin or hydromorphone) is urgently needed to help people break the cycle of addiction.

Currently, Crosstown Clinic is the only facility that offers a prescription heroin treatment program and it isoverwhelmed with demand.

First responders under strain

Without adequate treatment, drug users can't recover from their addictions and are relying on our first responders and front-line community workers to save their lives during overdoses.

Community groups and volunteers at pop-up sites have been heroic in their tireless efforts to save lives, but the intensity and frequency of these emergency calls is putting a severe strain on all our front-line workers.

It is overwhelming and not sustainable.

After a ride-along with firefighter medics at Fire Hall 2 in the heart of the Downtown Eastside last month, I saw first-hand just how true that is.

We know that people approach first responders and other service providers on a regular basis, seeking help for their addictions. However, treatment is not usually available, and when it is, gaps in the health system make it difficult to access.

Need to provide help immediately

When people come forward asking for health care, we need to provide them with that opportunity immediately for it to be effective. Breaking the cycle of addiction is critical to saving lives.

Other supports on the continuum of care are equally as vital to break this deadly cycle.

I've been fiercely advocating for more supportive housing and "housing first"programs with health supports, to give homeless drug users access to immediate housing and treatment options, with no requirement to abstain from drug usea universal best practice recommended by the Mental Health Commission of Canada.

Investing in housing reduces other costs

Investing in housing has a ripple effect that reduces costs on our health care and justice systems. Federal and provincial support for health and affordable housing is at the crux of a broader, multi-faceted response needed to truly break the deadly fentanyl opioid death cycle.

Vancouver isn't the only city to grapple with this crisis major cities across Canada are ramping up to respond to the fentanyl opioid crisis.

I recently spoke with Prime Minister Trudeau about the overdose crisis and the importance of strong national leadership to ensure the resources, data and international best practices are coordinated across Canada.

The B.C. government is responsible for both health and housing, therefore has the most critical role ensuring that all people have access to evidence-based, effective treatment options and housing supports.

At a breaking point

The city continues to do more than itsshare to manage the fentanyl opioid crisis. We are intensifying our front line response, but we are at a breaking point: better access to addictions treatment, substitution therapy, detox and housing supports along the continuum of care is crucial to save lives and reduce the intense burden on everyone working to keep people alive and help them recover.

With hundreds of lives lost, it has never been more urgent to act.

Gregor Robertson is the mayor of Vancouver

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