Vancouver family honours teen who died from toxic drug overdose

The parents of a Vancouver teen who died from an overdose are speaking out, hoping to help other families avoid similar tragedies.

The family of a Vancouver teen who died from a drug overdose last November chose what would have been his 17th birthday to honour his memory.

“He was a lovely, vibrant, sporty, passionate, crazy kid,” Karen Dunlap told CTV News about her son Tyler.

One morning, when she and her husband Greg Dunlap went into Tyler’s room to wake him up for school, they found him deceased from a toxic drug overdose.

“He died of a fentanyl overdose. It was very unexpected,” Karen Dunlap said. “He got hold of a tainted drug.”

The Dunlaps hope their family’s tragic story will spark important conversations for other teens struggling with mental health or substance use issues.

“We want kids to understand that there are options for them, right? And there are supports for them,” said Karen Dunlap. “And that it’s OK to have these challenges but that you need to reach out and ask for help.”

The Dunlaps spent Tuesday morning handing out fliers at Kitsilano High School, where Tyler was enrolled in Grade 11 at the time of his death.

“If you knew Tyler, if he made you laugh, helped you through something hard, or inspired you to be braver, this is your chance to honour him,” Karen Dunlap said, urging students and staff to honour Tyler’s memory with a moment of silence.

Greg Dunlap said he and his wife were warmly received by the school community.

“A lot of kids say, ‘Hey, I remember Tyler,’ whether they knew him or not. And they were very sorry,” he said. “I got a lot of hugs today. Some parents even came out of their cars and gave me a hug. I didn’t even know who they were.”

At 10 a.m., a small group of students and staff joined the Dunlaps in the school’s atrium for a moment of silence for Tyler.

Tyler is one of more than 16,000 British Columbians who have died from using toxic drugs since the province declared a public health emergency nine years ago.

“He has a huge family, a huge group of friends. He was well-supported in every way,” said Karen Dunlap. “This can happen to anybody.”