When Robin Lukash lost her son to a drug overdose, she felt lost. Her son David, a UBC student, struggled with mental health and used substances to self-medicate. The autopsy revealed a fatal amount of fentanyl.
Lukash found crucial support in 'Healing Hearts,' a group offering understanding to those experiencing similar grief. Helen Jennens, who lost two sons to the toxic drug crisis, facilitates these sessions, highlighting the stigma surrounding overdose deaths.
Despite a 21 percent decrease in drug toxicity deaths from 2024 to 2025, over 1,800 lives were lost in British Columbia last year, and more than 15,000 since 2016. Moms Stop the Harm, the organization behind Healing Hearts, also provides 'Holding Hope' groups for those battling addiction and their loved ones. These sessions, available virtually and in person across Canada, have been vital for families navigating profound loss.