FOI Request - BC Coroners Service
Cameron Frame
6950 120th st, Surrey, BC V3W 3M7
(778)-997-6021
October 15, 2025
Dr. Jatinder (Taj) Baidwan, Chief Coroner
Address: PO Box 9259, Stn Prov Govt / Victoria, BC V8W 9J4
Dear Dr. Baidwan,
Under the guidelines of the Access To Information Act, I would like to request from you the following:
An in-depth, detailed, and preferably exact set of data recording the number of accidental and most importantly fatal overdoses as a result of opioid poisoning (ie. Fentanyl) specifically on British Columbian university campuses over the past 5 years; ie.2020-2025.
If possible, documents must please be forwarded via email/electronic format (aka Word, Excel, Pages, PDF) to camelizframe@gmail.com, in order to be easily accessed via Mac Software. Or, mailed via CD to the address listed above (see top of page). If you have any questions regarding my specific request, or the details of delivery, please call me at (778)-997-6021..
Please advise me when the material is ready for release, Thank you for your time.
Sincerely,
Cameron Frame.
British Columbia Coroners Service
Explanation for request:
Fentanyl. A highly potent, highly synthetic, and highly fatal benefactor in not just Canada, but the world’s opioid crisis. Over the last 5 years, one fact is very clear when discussing the opioid/drug crisis. That fact being, overdoses and specifically overdose related deaths have shown a significant rise due to Fentanyl. An extremely cheap and accessible synthetic opioid involved in the perpetuation of diseases such as; addiction, homelessness, and overdose related death. This issue is not, in fact, sanctioned off to the homeless population. As with the implementation of worldwide shutdowns at the birth of Covid-era life, many people, and especially students struggling with mental health crisis, loneliness, and addiction, were as a result closed off from their usual resources. With University campuses still operating (be it at semi-low capacity) students were not given the support needed to keep themselves afloat not just financially, but mentally as well. When drawing connections to the opioid crisis, the pandemic, and subsequent overdose, HealthCanada reported as of 2024 that drug toxicity deaths related to Fentanyl related poisoning had risen dramatically with the rise of the Covid-19 pandemic. Showcasing a dramatic climb in numbers as of January 2020, with an eventual peak within October of the following year. Although reports such as this one may help in identifying the significance of Fentanyl within the general populace, we are left with the discrepancy of the aforementioned university attendees. Something which, as a university student myself, raised concern. We know opioid deaths are occurring on said campuses, and we know Fentanyl is a playing card in overall Canadian opioid deaths. But to be truly aware of the impact this crisis has had on specifically Canadian youth, the best option at hand would be the total awareness of how the first of these issues has affected the last.
Relevant news articles:
This FOI request is exceptionally strong. It’s detailed, focused, and demonstrates clear public interest in understanding the opioid crisis’s impact on university campuses. The reasoning shows depth, linking fentanyl-related overdoses to broader social and mental health issues among students. It’s professional, empathetic, and well-supported with credible sources.
ReplyDeleteHi Cameron, I think you did a great job clearly and professionally formatting your FOI request, it reads like an actual submission, and your tone is respectful and purposeful throughout. I especially appreciated the explanation you included afterward, it added valuable context and showed how personally connected you are to the issue, which makes your request more compelling. One area that could be improved is the specificity of your request. While it's clear you're asking for data on overdoses on university campuses, it might help to name a few specific institutions or define what counts as a "university campuses" to ensure clarity for the person responding. overall, this was a strong and well-thought-out submission.
ReplyDeleteThis is well done and I'm excited to see what results you get out of this! (IF you do decide to send it in). I don't think I've ever heard/been aware of anyone overdosing on campuses (I'm sure it probably happens) so if I could see the answers from this request I think it would be interesting and eye opening!
ReplyDeleteHi Cameron, I really think your request is well-framed, which I believe makes it easier to process and locate the relevant information.Your explanation adds powerful context. this request really shows excellent understanding of how to connect an FOI request to broader social context.
ReplyDeleteYour request is incredibly detailed. Your explanation for the reasoning behind this specific request was not only very well-written but particularly thorough and makes it very clear why not only you care about this information, but why others should as well. Sadly I fear that the number of such deaths is a probably higher than it should be, which is why by asking for 5 years you might get a lot of data to analyze but I am confident that if you send your request in, you will have no trouble navigating it thanks to your obvious interest in the subject.
ReplyDeleteHere’s a simple, human comment you could post on that blog:
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This is a very clear and thoughtful FOI request. I like how you explained exactly what data you want and why, especially focusing on university campuses and the impact of Fentanyl. It will be important to see the numbers and understand how the opioid crisis has affected students over the past five years.
Really strong FOI, Cameron clear ask, respectful tone, and a focused lens on overdoses specifically on university campuses over the past five years. Your explanation ties the request to the wider fentanyl crisis in a way that feels thoughtful and relevant.
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ReplyDeleteIt was so brave of you to go with this idea. Your request demonstrates a deep worry about youth safety and public health transparency. By linking the opioid crisis to university campuses and identifying the pandemic's mental health consequences, it emphasizes a major data and awareness gap. Your tone is respectful but firm, and the associated research makes the question urgent.
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