Squamish Nation declares state of emergency after deaths from toxic drug supply

A state of emergency has been declared by the Squamish Nation over the toxic drug crisis, with the nation saying family members are grieving the loss of loved ones in the community.

In a letter addressed to Squamish Nation members on Thursday, the nation's council said the state of emergency is an urgent call to action.

“In recent weeks and months, our community has suffered profound losses to the toxic drug crisis. These losses touch every family, every neighbourhood, and every part of our Nation,” states the letter.

The Squamish Nation did not disclose the number of people who have died due to poisoned drugs.

“We hold our hands up to all families and loved ones who are grieving. We grieve with you. Our people have carried too many losses for too long,” states the letter.

According to the letter, the emergency response will strengthen measures to address drug trafficking and unsafe activity on the nation's reserve.

That includes enforcing tenancy and safety standards, including evictions for individuals who "engage in dangerous or criminal activity that puts community members at risk."

A task force, made up of Squamish Nation administration, council, and community members, is being created to plan culturally grounded, land-based healing and treatment options.

Funds from the Squamish Nation Emergency Fund will support this work during the next four months.

“These actions are being set in place to strengthen community safety, protect our people, and build pathways toward long-term healing grounded in Squamish teachings and values,” states the council.

‘Top priority’ for government

In an emailed statement, B.C.'s First Nations Health Authority said the unregulated drug supply in B.C. remains highly potent, unpredictable, and dangerous.

“The toxic drug public health emergency continues to disproportionately affect First Nations individuals, families, and communities,” states the email.

A spokesperson added that, in the first half of 2025, the death rate from toxic drug poisonings among First Nations people in the Vancouver Coastal Health region was 10.6 times higher than for other residents.

The spokesperson said the disparities were due to the "ongoing impacts of colonialism" on First Nations people and experiences of intergenerational trauma.

Those included the impact of residential schools, the Sixties Scoop and removal of children from Indigenous communities.

In an email to CBC News, the Ministry of Health said addressing the toxic drug crisis continues to be a top priority for the government.

“Importantly, First Nations, Indigenous Peoples and communities need programs and services that meet their specific needs,” said a spokesperson.

The ministry said it will not stop working until the communities are safer, healthier, and free from the "devastation of this crisis."

Drug alert in Squamish

Vancouver Coastal Health issued drug alerts for Squamish and Powell River on Dec. 2, encompassing parts of Squamish Nation territory.

Dr. Mark Lysyshyn, VCH's deputy chief medical health officer, said over the past few weeks he’s seen a real increase in overdoses across the region.

“This increase in overdose events has been associated with the detection of a new contaminant in the drug supply. It's called medetomidine. It's a veterinary tranquilizer,” Lysyshyn said.

The contaminant was seen in the drug supply for the past couple of years, but now it is much more toxic, the official explained.

“It causes prolonged sedation, sometimes a low heart rate, and it's really being detected more and more often now in association with opioids,” Lysyshyn said.

He advises that people should not use alone and have their drugs checked at an overdose prevention site.

“People really need to continue to take steps to protect themselves,” Lysyshyn said.