On Sunday April 12th, at about 4.45pm, the bells at Christ Church Cathedral, Vancouver tolled to remember the many deaths that have taken place since the April 14, 2016 declaration of B.C.’s public health emergency due to drug-related overdoses and deaths. This year marks the 10th year since that declaration. The bells tolled 37 times, once for every 500 people whose lives have been lost since the declaration.

The bell tolling took place during a service of remembrance, where the Executive Director of First United Church Amanda Burrows and Deb Bailey, a representative from Moms Stop the Harm, offered their reflections. Attendees were greeted by moving words from Rikki Kooy, Indigenous Elder-in-Residence at the Diocese of New Westminster, who herself has experienced the tragic loss of her son to toxic drugs. 

The B.C. Coroners Service says 150 people died from toxic drugs across the province in January, down 10% from the same month last year. Still, nearly 5 British Columbians are dying from an overdose each day. More than half of all unregulated drug deaths in 2026 came from the Fraser Health and Vancouver Coastal Health authorities. Thankfully, the mortality rate has been trending downward over the past two years. 

I was particularly touched by a conversation I had with a young man. He lit many candles during the time of remembrance, and following the service, I asked him what brought him to this gathering. He shared that as a Vancouver Coastal Health worker, who has lost many clients to toxic drugs, he doesn't have space and time to mourn their losses during the course of his work. He was grateful for this space to sit with the reality that he encounters in his work and the weight of the struggle and death he bears witness to. 

Each life is precious and we will continue to remember all who have died, to pray for all who mourn the loss of their loved ones due to toxic drugs and to pray and support those who work and advocate for effective and compassionate intervention. We thank everyone who was involved in this ministry, an expression of our vocation as Cathedral to the City. 

Please watch this piece, featuring Christ Church Cathedral's bells, created by CBC to mark the occasion: https://www.cbc.ca/player/play/video/9.7161948 

Your sister in Christ, 

Areeta+