Father Urges Action Against Drug Crisis at Overdose Prevention Day

On Overdose Prevention Day at the British Columbia legislature, Glenn Mahoney shared a heartfelt message urging immediate action against the escalating drug crisis that has claimed over 17,000 lives in the province since the public health emergency was declared in April 2016. His son, Michael, succumbed to a substance use disorder at the young age of 21 after years of struggling with addiction that began when he was prescribed oxycodone at 13.

Mahoney’s poignant remarks highlighted a deep sense of frustration as he reflected on the significant loss of life due to toxic drug use. “Death. Too much preventable death,” he stated, emphasizing the need for greater awareness and outrage regarding the crisis. The event resonated with many in attendance, particularly when individuals who had lost loved ones lay on the steps of the legislature, draped in shrouds, under the Canadian flag. Signs adorned with messages such as “They were so loved” served as a stark reminder of the human toll of the epidemic.

Former B.C. Chief Coroner Lisa Lapointe also addressed the gathering, pointing out that drug toxicity remains the leading cause of death for individuals aged 19 to 59 in the province. “What could be more important?” she questioned, as she called for the implementation of standardized, evidence-based, and free treatment options. Mahoney lamented the challenges his family faced in navigating the healthcare system, despite both he and his wife holding graduate degrees. They found themselves relying on costly private treatment programs that often stigmatized those using prescribed psychiatric medications.

Mahoney expressed concern about the political discourse surrounding pharmaceutical alternatives, which he believes could provide stabilizing support for individuals like his son. “Safe supply has become a polluted term,” he said, reflecting on how misinformation affects perceptions of harm reduction strategies. Tragically, after losing access to his pharmaceutical alternatives, Michael turned to illicit street drugs, which ultimately led to his death.

The Mahoney family’s experience with healthcare providers has been fraught with obstacles, including denied applications for support from Island Health and being turned away from community psychiatrists. Mahoney asserted, “At every point and every encounter, the system made his condition worse. It’s a failure of public policy.”

Lapointe and Dr. Kelsey Roden, co-founder of Doctors for Safer Drug Policy, stressed that while overdose prevention sites and decriminalization efforts have made strides, the persistent stigma and prohibition continue to hinder genuine progress. Lapointe referenced insights from public health experts and the B.C. Coroner Service, stating there are “straightforward things” that could be done to mitigate deaths.

Among these recommendations is the need to recognize the crisis as a health issue rather than a criminal one. Lapointe criticized the existence of private residential treatment centers that charge exorbitant fees for unstandardized care, advocating instead for accessible pharmaceutical alternatives. These alternatives, she argued, are vital for stabilizing individuals and steering them away from the chaos of the drug trade.

For Glenn and Jan Mahoney, honoring their son’s legacy means continuing to advocate for systemic change. They vow to return to the legislature each year until they see meaningful improvements in how the government addresses this public health crisis. “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,” Jan Mahoney declared, reminiscing about their son—a “creative, artistic, funny, caring, and polite” young man who once sang with the Victoria Opera.

The Mahoneys’ commitment reflects the urgent need for collective action and policy reform to prevent further tragedies in British Columbia and beyond.