A safer drug supply: a pragmatic and ethical response to the overdose crisis.

Commentary. Key points: • Overdose deaths in British Columbia are largely due to potent synthetic opioids. • A “prohibition” approach that focuses on reducing access to pharmaceutical products directly contributes to exposure to higher risk illicit substances, which has put many people at risk of overdose. • The public health response to a poisoning epidemic must be to provide a safer alternative, which must include providing a safe supply of pharmaceutical drugs, as well as decriminalization of drug use and a redeployment of resources from enforcement to social and health services