Wicked Problems

Stigmatization of Drug Users

By:

aollek

The Drug Epidemic in British Columbia

My research on the drug epidemic in British Columbia shows that this crisis has multiple interconnected factors. This website will highlight why the drug epidemic is a wicked problem, who is involved, how the different scales of stakeholders across BC are affected, and lastly, where possible gaps and levers for change exist moving forward (Rittel & Webber, 1973).

Figure1 Vancouver considers decriminalising crack and heroin

Figure2 Fentanyl from the government? A Vancouver experiment aims to stop overdoses

Wicked Problem?

Over the years the drug epidemic in BC has increasingly worsened. Increased drug toxicity and inadequate mental health support have led people who use drugs (PWUD) feeling hopeless and unsupported.

The drug crisis is a wicked problem because of (Rittel & Webber, 1973):

  • No single solution
  • Multiple stakeholders
  • Every action counts
  • Uniqueness to geographic areas
  • Rooted in other issues
  • World view and cultural view effects the type of solutions available
  • No room for error

Stakeholder Involvement

The drug epidemic in BC involves many interconnected actors. From harm reduction methods and Interior health, to Government policymakers, communities, geographic proximity, and law enforcement. Each gear involved works together helping guide PWUD towards safe recovery.

Below you can explore at your own pace the different stakeholders involved in the crisis. Be sure to click on the nodes that stand out to you, and see how they connect to other parts of the map. I will highlight:

  • Their positions on the crisis
  • The scale they focus on (local, regional, global)
  • Tensions that accumulate between each stakeholder

Throughout my wicked problem, there seemed to be different scales of stakeholders that work together to try and mediate the drug epidemic in British Columbia. The main three that were seen often while researching were local, regional, and global.

Local

Within BC, there are 13 nodes highlighting local connections to the drug epidemic. These nodes represent a variety of different harm reduction opportunities and individuals who may be affected. Due to BC’s mixture of rural and urban areas, there can be a inequality of availability of resources and health access for PWUD (Bardwell, 2021).

Regional

In British Columbia, I found 21 nodes that intersect with the local scale, therefore, showing a broader framework of how the drug epidemic is shown regionally. Key stakeholders within this scale are the Government of BC, policy makers, and Ministry of Mental Health and Addiction. These nodes directly affects the local scale as well as the regional scale on what is implemented to respond to the crisis.

Global

Throughout researching the drug epidemic, there were 5 nodes that encompassed a larger global framework. An example is the Canada Border Service Agency. With harsher crack downs on what is imported into Canada, it can determine what happens regionally and locally. (Canada Border Service Agency, 2025).

The Path Forward

What can be done?

After diving into the many interconnected stakeholders on this wicked problem, we can see how changes can be made to aid drug users towards recovery.

Figure3 B.C.’s Response to the Toxic Drug Crisis

Gap

One gap that is prevalent within BC is the lack of continued care and future follow ups months after recovery. Without long term support, PWUD may find it difficult to continue to strive for recovery, which can lead to relapsing and possibly more mental health barriers.

Gap

Another gap is the stigmatization of drug users, which leads to a lack of funding and resources for emergency shelters. The social stigma within BC has led to less access for care and support along the way to recovery. This can be seen with minimal beds available for PWUD to use when needed.

Lever

Both gaps I found to deeply intersect with the stigmatization of people who use drugs (PWUD). Due to the drug crisis increasing, the villainization of PWUD has risen as well. While some healthcare workers continue to follow up with patients with addictions, the lack of funding for staff leads to barriers of what they can and cannot do.

By educating the general public in BC of the drug epidemic, it can lead to increased community support and government funding to help these facilities stay open and care for PWUD with long term care opportunities.

Lever

As talked about previously, the stigmatization of drug users has had a ripple effect on what resources are implemented to help those with addiction. Due to low amounts of resources and funding for facilities for mental health and addiction, it leads people towards being un housed and severely worn down.

Depending on where you live within BC, the weather fluctuates tremendously. The summers are often reaching up to 40 degrees and winter months lows of negative 40.

If people reached out to their local governments, there would be a higher chance to fund safe shelters and proper resources for all struggling with addictions. This will open up an opportunity for PWUD to recover and learn how to strive on their own.

  1. The Times (2023): Vancouver considers decriminalising crack and heroin ↩︎
  2. Nolen, S. (2022, July 27). Fentanyl from the government? A Vancouver experiment aims to stop overdoses. The New York Times. https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/27/world/canada/vancouver-fentanyl-safe-supply.html ↩︎
  3. Province of British Columbia. (2025, July 22). B.C.’s Response to the Toxic Drug Crisis. Government of British Columbia. https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/mental-health-and-addictions/bc-response-to-the-toxic-drug-crisis ↩︎

Government of British Columbia. (2025). Find mental health and substance use services. Government of British Columbia. https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/health/mental-health-and-addictions/find-mental-health-and-substance-use-services

Rittel, H. W. J., & Webber, M. M. (1973). Dilemmas in a general theory of planning. Policy Sciences, 4(2), 155–169. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01405730