Utoo Radio with Other News Sources - September 19, 2024 - The life expectancy of First Nations people in British Columbia has decreased by 7.1 years between 2015 and 2021 due to the toxic drug crisis and the COVID-19 pandemic.
The largest drop occurred between 2019 and 2021, when life expectancy shortened 5.8 years. The leading cause of the decrease is the unregulated toxic drug supply, with First Nations people "vastly overrepresented" in toxic drug deaths. In comparison, life expectancy of non-Indigenous residents of B.C. decreased by 1.1 years between 2019 and 2021.
The biggest factors contributing to this decrease are inequities and trauma caused by colonialism, Indigenous-specific racism in the health-care system, stigma around drug use, and a lack of services available for First Nations people. For the last 50 years, First Nations life expectancy had been increasing annually by 0.2 years.
The increasing toxicity of illicit drugs has increased the chances of deadly side-effects, making the current unregulated drug supply "Russian roulette." Indigenous-specific racism pushes Indigenous people away from health services, negatively affecting their ability to access harm reduction services or prescribed safer supply.
Access to healthcare services is another issue, with many Indigenous communities seeing a lot of toxic drug deaths in younger generations. Geography can also prohibit people from accessing services, such as prescribed safer supply programs that require pharmacist supervision every time they take medication. People who want to access culturally safe mental health services, detox, and treatment programs are often put on waiting lists that can take two to nine weeks.
The COVID-19 pandemic has further disconnected Indigenous people from their families, community, and services, leading to increased vulnerability and trauma. Indigenous people are more likely to suffer severe infections, hospitalization, and death due to the likelihood of other underlying health conditions.
The loss of Elders, especially in communities with few fluent language speakers, is an existential threat. Experts recommend improving First Nations' life expectancy by implementing studies and listening to Indigenous people. A safer supply program should be explored, as the existing prescription model has only been accessed by about 5% of the estimated people who could benefit from it.
The recovery journey should offer harm reduction, treatment, and healing, including participation in traditional activities and ceremonies. Substance use should be considered as a symptom of trauma and not a coping mechanism. Reconnecting with culture is crucial, as young people are taking on roles and responsibilities in ceremonies and engaging with traditions.
