By Marc Fawcett-Atkinson, Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Every summer, thousands of migrant farm workers flock to B.C. bearing painkillers and antibiotics. These personal pharmacies reflect workers’ concerns they won’t have access to adequate health care in the province, despite working in one of B.C.’s most dangerous  — and essential — industries. It’s a situation advocates say puts farm workers at risk despite government assurances the system is working.