Homalco First Nation declares state of emergency over toxic drug deaths – Castanet
Mar 11, 2025
A Campbell River-area First Nation has declared a state of emergency in response to the “escalating” opioid crisis in the community.
In the last six months, four young people from the Homalco First Nation have died as a result of toxic drugs, with the latest death last weekend, according to Chief Darren Blaney.
A community meeting is being held Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. to discuss the situation and develop strategies “to combat the crisis.”
“We are calling on the provincial government to immediately engage with Homalco, and all other First Nation communities who have declared a state of emergency on Vancouver Island, in a government-to-government process to come up with immediate solutions and long-term plans,” Blaney said in a statement.
