DULF Co-Founders Jeremy Kalicum & Eris Nyx Face Trafficking Charges
Two co-founders of the Drug User Liberation Front (DULF) in Vancouver, Jeremy Kalicum and Eris Nyx, are facing drug trafficking charges following police raids last year. The charges come after the pair publicly admitted to distributing heroin, cocaine, and methamphetamines, claiming to provide safe doses to prevent overdose deaths.
Vancouver Police Charge DULF Founders
Vancouver police announced on Friday that Kalicum, 28, and Nyx, 33, each face three counts of possession for the purpose of trafficking. The charges follow police actions in October 2023 when they executed search warrants at DULF’s office in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside and two homes linked to the group.
DULF, which ran a “fulfillment centre,” allowed drug users to receive up to 14 grams of controlled substances per week, which were tested for safety. Kalicum and Nyx openly advocated for a safe drug supply, but their efforts did not receive legal exemption from authorities, despite an application to Health Canada for approval to operate similarly to supervised consumption sites. Their application was rejected in 2022, and DULF is currently seeking a judicial review of the decision in federal court.
Support for DULF’s Harm Reduction Efforts
In a joint statement, DULF’s legal counsel expressed disappointment that the Crown moved forward with the charges before the court ruled on the constitutional validity of the program. They emphasized the critical role DULF’s initiative plays in reducing overdoses, particularly in the face of a toxic drug crisis that has claimed thousands of lives.
Kalicum and Nyx had also authored a study earlier this year that found DULF’s program significantly reduced non-fatal overdoses, contributing to ongoing advocacy for harm reduction and safer drug supply initiatives.
In response to the arrests, supporters have staged protests, with DULF co-founder Garth Mullins highlighting the courage of the two founders. Mullins emphasized that civil disobedience remains an important tool in challenging laws that prevent life-saving efforts, and vowed to rally for their legal defense.
Continued Advocacy Amid Crisis
The charges come amid a severe overdose crisis in British Columbia, where over 14,500 individuals have died since a public health emergency was declared. While B.C.’s chief coroner recommended safe supply programs to combat overdose deaths, the provincial government rejected the proposal, signaling continued resistance to drug decriminalization policies.
Despite the legal challenges ahead, DULF remains steadfast in its commitment to advocating for drug policies that prioritize harm reduction and save lives in the face of the ongoing crisis.